Лесотехнически Университет

Резюме

Universal design (UD) as a concept of consideration rather than an afterthought that may lead to subsequent adaptations – following the principle of early intervention to address the cause, rather than the symptom. It enforces and empowers everyone to play a full role in society. Individually and mutually, professionally and secularly, UD should fly inspirationally above all social areas. A physical platform which allows to be complemented by practical and emotional learning, that fights stereotypes and prejudices and examines the limits of normality by defining difference as the new normal – is excellent example for Universal design. So, Universal design is the natural way things happen for everyone. Therefore, it should preferably be possible to influence, to attract and invite ideas leading to something everyone can agree with and something that comforts all in own understanding of successful living and prosperity.

Резюме

This article presents a successful model of training practice as part of the student’s education in "Engineering Design" (Interior and Furniture Design) Program at the University of Forestry. Stimulation and emphasizing the strengths of the learners by provoking a new teaching style for the traditional training of designers and engineers is the main accent of this model. The model itself is not just conceptual, but also applied in the training of students in design programs and could be also successfully implemented in a wide range of cross-disciplinary platforms in the training of designers and engineers (and not only). At the same time, this innovative approach highlights new forms of support for students' learning progress, expanding the operationalization of their involvement in direct work with clients with diverse status and needs.

Резюме

The current article represents a newly introduced model in the training practice of the “Design of Environment for Disabled People” study module, which is a part of the “Engineering design” (Interior and design of furniture) masters program in the University of Forestry.

The main focus is on putting the students in a real situation, where they can meet specialists from the practice of the social activities and the final users of their future-to-be products – disadvantaged children or children with different kinds of disabilities. In this way the studying process is formed into something more: through stimulating the engineering projection in 3D, put in real time with added emotions.

This method differs with its way of stimulating the strengths of the ones being trained and the dynamization of their active involvement in the learning process with independent and individual sides.

It also provokes the development of new ideas and shows a new way of learning and supporting the students as it expands their business operations and includes them in working directly with the final users of different statuses and needs.