Developing Digital and Communication Competencies in Architecture Courses while Strengthening International Perspectives

Abstract

This study presents the results of a real-time remote teaching scheme that has been applied in Architecture courses at Tecnologico de Monterrey in Puebla, Mexico, from January 2018 to the present. The study is situated in the context of the competency-based education focus that the new educational Model at the University has implemented recently as a core feature. The study is also situated in the context of the Government of Mexico's five-year national development plans (PNDs), which provide a basis for guiding governmental policies and programs, identifying the need for quality education to “make scientific, technological, and innovation development pillars for sustainable, economic and social progress”. The scheme applied of-fer opportunities for the students to broaden their knowledge of Architecture in relation to international contexts and perspectives. The authors have observed how technology-mediated courses, taught by subject-experts and academics from abroad, complemented traditional courses and help the students to engage in global perspectives. For different reasons, not all the students are able to participate in opportunities such as summer schools abroad and internships. The model allows these students to get international perspectives as well as to strengthen digital and communication competencies by taking real-time remote courses locally.