Sabbatical blog: Building the future of HE in Liechtenstein

A fortuitous meeting with a faculty member of the School of Architecture at Universität Liechtenstein showed me just what is possible in curriculum design when a strong pedagogy is combined with a practical subject in a small institution.

VIEW FROM LIECHTENSTEIN UNIVERSITY, PICTURE BY BOB'S NEPHEW

Like so many practical disciplines, architecture has the possibility of "learning by doing".  Not only is it a professional necessity to create designs, models, and artifacts but it is also an excellent learning method when combined with the rigour of academic writing.

Curriculum design is a phrase so often used in HE but, I wouldn't mind betting that the emphasis is more often on the "Curriculum" than the "Design".

Design in HE can learn much from Architectural principles:

• UTILITY: The purpose of the building/curriculum being constructed is of vital importance to the designer - how, where and with whom is it going to be used?  also - Budget can be seen either as a constraint or an opportunity for innovation.
• DURABILITY: The building/curriculum must last the test of time, need little maintenance over its expected span.
• BEAUTY: The building/curriculum must be distinctive, remarkable and pleasing to those using it.

Not too much to ask is it?