Normally, in COMD 102 we were assigning the students in-class projects and before starting to work on them, we were giving them a to-do list. For each project, they were supposed to make a visual research and pin a given number of examples on a specific board on Pinterest. They were working on the projects during studio hours and submit their in-class progress to Moodle the same day. In the next class, we were giving wall, and table critiques and they are submitting the final versions both as hard copies and digital copies following the feedback the same week.
Now, in the studio course, we use Zoom, Moodle, and Pinterest together. We use the ”Waiting Room” and admit all of the students at the same time. We ask them to turn on their cameras if they are ok with it to have a more interactive session (but we don’t insist on it).
At the end of each class on Zoom, we mention the next project and the Pinterest assignment. They work on the first sketches and submit their projects as in-class submissions. We download the files and in the next class by sharing our screens we are giving feedback to all of them, and sometimes show other online examples. This way, they can still see and comment on each other’s works and have an idea on various projects. Based on our feedback they rework on their projects and this time by sharing their own screens they present their projects. While sharing the screens we also use the ”annotate” tool to point out, suggest or question the design decisions as we would do on paper. After this joint critique session, we give them time to make iterations on their designs and we meet with all of them on Zoom one by one to check their works for the last time. After this, they submit their final works on Moodle.