Funding Rationale

Impact

The project will benefit two different communities: the immediate University of Oregon (UO) student population and the academic and professional communities.

Through Summer and Fall 2004, we will provide direct instruction to 60 students and give 500 other architecture students the opportunity to use the pens and trace their drawing development.

Through academic and professional organizations, I will be presenting about mobile tools including the Io pens in San Diego, Bangkok, and San Francisco during 2003. As current Vice-Chair and 2004 Chair of the American Institute of Architect's Technology in Architectural Practice advisory group, I will be overseeing activities and an online newsletter for over 7500 members.

The project's website will be a resource to artists and designers interested in drawing as well as architectural educators. Architects and designers are innately curious about each others' work; publication of expert drawings will be of broad interest to faculty, students, and professionals in the area.

Innovation: While the pens have a very simple function, their portability demonstrates the seamlessness of ubiquitous computing. Use of Logitech pens in the classroom is both new and promising.

Feasibility: By concentrating on a very simple tool whose reliability and ease of use has been tested, we have a predictable outcome. From testing other mobile tools, we understand the issues for managing multiple small devices.

Technology Transfer and Outreach

By exposing students to readily-available leading-edge technology, we demonstrate how technology can provide appropriate advantages. It is a stepping stone to new technologies, as it reinforces students' work with multiple software programs. Most importantly, it provides a connection between hand work and computer work.

A series of workshops in the department will make the tools and the teaching methods for using them available on an informal basis to the wider educational community.

Leverage

Initial work done under a UO Educational Technology Curriculum Development Grant for Place Tools would come to full fruition with this grant. Support from the UO School of Architecture and Allied Arts has provided new faculty workstations, teaching laptops, graphics software and computer projectors. The Department of Architecture provides research space for the project and student labs.

Collaboration

Two experts on drawings are advisors on the project:

- Daniel Herbert, author of the book Architectural Study Drawings and retired UO architecture professor.

- Ellen Yi-Luen Do, co-director of the Design Machine Group and co-author of sketch-based tools such as the Electronic Cocktail Napkin.

Outcomes Assessment

A survey will be given to the students who use the pens in each 4-week session. Questions will include: "What did you learn from analyzing the construction of your drawings?" "What did you see in the experts' drawings that you were able to incorporate in your own work?" "Do you recommend this tool to others?"

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