Dean Popović: On the Faculty of Architecture Ensured Study Year Finalization
At the Faculty of Architecture, aligned with the decision of the Senate of the University of Montenegro, final exams will be conducted in premises of the Faculty, while pre-examinations are predominantly conducted in interactive online communication between professors and students.
The Dean of this faculty, Svetislav Popovic, PhD, said that teaching schedule is being monitored at the faculty in accordance with academic calendar and teaching timetable, and that it is more than certain that, with slight deviations, the year will be successfully completed.
“The Faculty of Architecture is characteristic, especially in the area of practical teaching. In new circumstances caused by the COVID-19 virus, we successfully adapted to the new model, which required a partial transformation of exercises, topics and tasks, as well as colloquia. I believe that we have succeeded in that, as evidenced by results of pre-examinations,” Dean Popovic said.
He stated that it could be said that the Faculty of Architecture was the first at the University of Montenegro to successfully implement online lecture based on principle of engaging in a "virtual classroom".
“I believe that in addition to interactive communication with students, we have provided continuity in the delivery of lectures and exercises. The remaining three weeks, according to the academic calendar, we will be able to complete the lectures in the virtual classroom with which we started teaching from the very beginning of the interruption," Popovic said.
When it comes to the percentage that will make up this pre-exam knowledge test in relation to the exam that will be conducted, Popović explains that during the semester, a student is able to obtain 50-70 percent of points compared to total number.
“Most of activities are currently tailored to online communication model. Students were deprived of some practical work in some subjects (field research, model making, etc.), but these activities were adapted in other ways, as far as possible, in the current circumstances, "he added.
In addition to full-time teaching, Popovic points out, guest lectures on interactive online lectures by professors took place at the Faculty of Architecture, in March, from the Faculty of Architecture of the Technical University of Graz, and at the end of April from the prestigious Bartlett Lab (Interactive Architecture Lab), University College of London (UCL), a leading academic institution for architecture and built environment in the world.
"It is interesting to note that these lectures were also attended by former students currently enrolled or pursuing postgraduate studies at one of the European faculties. A third online guest lecture for students from abroad will soon be held. The created, virtual classroom has fully met expectations and at the same time preserved continuity in the teaching process, " Dean Popovic said.
When it comes to student regularity and responsiveness to online classes, he says active collaboration has been established through the Zoom app. "Their interactive involvement from the first to the fifth year of integrated architecture curriculum was on enviable level. In some days, the number even exceeded attendance over traditional classroom. The ability to use interactive communication, PDF documents, online drawing boards, HD video, the recording of Mp4 and others ensured carrying out most activities in the pre - examination phase," Dean Popovic said.
He concluded that at the Faculty of Architecture they successfully conducted a number of colloquiums by answering questions by professors or working on a given topic in real time, while watching the whole process by teaching assistants.