Introducing Studio Oriented Learning Environment (SOLE) in UPM Serdang: Accessing Student Centred Learning (SCL) in the architectural studio

This article reports the initial results of the exploratory research related to student-centered learning in final year Architecture’s studio education in UPM. Student centred learning is defined as an approach to empowered the students in their own learning. Although a various study on the adaptability of this concept in education has increased, there is a little to none study conducted for the benefits of an architectural education from studio design perspective. In this article, we defined the Student-centered learning (SCL) as an approach to increase student’s autonomy in learning curve especially in making decision-related to design subjects using summative and formative approach. The objective of this article is to experiment the SOLE model and how it can move forward. The SOLE (Studio oriented learning environment) model encompass lecturing, sharing and peer review that inspired by self-regulated theory. However, several problems and difficulties were identified namely, lacking tutor’s input and problems in discussion dynamic asides from resistance to peer assessment. This article suggests a number of improvements for future recommendations. The study will benefit the educators in the architectural field contribute to help the students to build on unique background knowledge and at the same time let the students generate learning opportunities and reconstruct knowledge dynamically in an open-ended learning environment to implement SCL in the studio module.