Codification of Architectural Knowledge, in Virtual Learning Environments (PhD thesis)

PhD thesis, in Serbian language, defended May 2009, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture

Integration of information and communication technologies has redefined disciplinary knowledge, influencing particularly knowledge codification, which is the central problem of this dissertation. Knowledge codification is a process of transforming tacit (individual, subjective) knowledge, into explicit form, systematiyed and written down on an appropriate medium, on the way that allows its efficient sharing, transmission and further use.

The process of knowledge codification is based on a codification model and a specially developed codification language, supporting transformation of knowledge into messages – information, that could be shared without a physical presence of its initial owner and creator.

The codification model on which the observed codification of architectural knowledge relays, has been represented by virtual learning environments, and is based on an information structure, consisted of components identified as chronological, portfolio and thematic. The thematic component, if related to certain architectural problem, choosen location and its environment, or a designed object, indicates that particular information represents architectural knowledge. 

The content analisys of observed virtual environments supporting design studio, is applied with aim to identify features of codification language, consisting of the processes of acquisition, representation, documenting, share, as well as saving and further use of codified architectural knowledge.

In the experimental part of the research, an applicability of the presented codification model has been tested on extremely large groups of students, in the traditionally course-based part of architectural education. In this part the codification model, as well as the codification language, have been successfully implemented and enriched in certain aspects.

The results of the presented research include: theoretic results, related to the nature of the problem of codification in the observed field, in which six of seven hypotheses have been approved, while one has been neither approved nor entirely declined;  methodologic results, within which have been developed original methodology of knowledge reconstruction, content analysis, and creation of specific virtual environments for architectural education; applicable results realized in the process of creation of the e-Learning system, in exploitation at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade.

Keywords:

Architecture; Knowledge; Codification; Explicit knowledge; Information; Virtual learning environments; Architectural education; Information and communication technologies; ICT.