Pedagogy and Professional Development

Developing Design Perspectives through Critical Reflection

---

Abstract

Active learning, defined as instructional methods that engage students in the learning process, was developed as an effective tool to enhance the classroom experience for students. Through active learning, students can experience four modes of learning; concrete experience, abstract conceptualization, reflective observation and active experimentation, which is the key tenant of Kolb's (1984) experiential learning theory (ELT). Therefore, via active learning approaches based on ELT, the learner can engage with concrete examples that become the basis for their reflections, and those reflections help create abstract concepts of the subject. This presentation will discuss the need to develop and incorporate design perspectives into the curriculum of fashion students and review how fashion styling assignments were created to practice the use of design perspectives. Student perception of the relevance, helpfulness and enjoyment of the assignment will also be discussed.

How to Cite:

McBee-Black, K. & Ha-Brookshire, J. E., (2016) “Developing Design Perspectives through Critical Reflection”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 73(1).