Project-Based Learning of Advanced Computer Graphics and Interaction

Abstract

This paper presents an educational case study and its pedagogical lessons. It is a project-based course in advanced computer graphics and interaction, DH2413, conducted in the fall of 2012 at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden. The students and the teacher, the author, learned through a constructivist approach. The students defined and researched the material covered in class through their theme selection of original research projects which consisted of interactive graphics systems. The students demonstrated, taught, and discussed with each other what they had learned. Finally, the students openly presented their work to hundreds of people in large public venues. The teacher s role was to design the learning environment, guide the research, provide indepth lectures on the research material chosen by the students, and organize and motivate the students to produce accountable results. In synthesis, the pedagogical lessons are: 1) learning means building with self-motivation, guidance, and accountability; 2) self-motivation means trust and independence; 3) guidance means asking for less, not more; and 4) accountability means public presentations of working systems.