My microteaching topic: Introduction to Algorithmic Modelling

Context

This exercise was a part of my teaching practice last term when I was teaching the Coding One: Advanced Creative Coding unit on the MA/MSc Computing and Creative Industry (Modular) programme at UAL Creative Computing Institute.

Exercise description

The group were presented with a brief introduction to the concept of algorithmic modelling in the form of slides with examples of algorithmic geometries in architecture.

Image 1: Historical examples of algorithmic geometry in architecture.

Image 2: Contemporary examples of algorithmic geometry in architecture.

Then, the group were asked to pick one of the objects I brought and try to draw it in stages, as an algorithm, using the provided markers and paper.

Image 3: Objects which I brought for the algorithmic drawing exercise.

Initially, I was planning to do a demonstration on the whiteboard before the exercise, but there were no markers in the room and I panicked and skipped it.

Image 4: Drawings by my colleagues.

Feedback from the group

David said he enjoyed the session and learnt a lot. Lindsay said she liked my choice of objects. A few people mentioned they were a bit confused about the details of the task. Please see the picture with feedback sticky notes for more details.

Image 5: Feedback notes.

Reflection

It seemed to me that the participants did not receive clear enough instructions or an example, which was clearly an oversight on my part. I believe I also was trying to fit too much material, including a theoretical introduction, a demonstration, and a exercise, into a short 20-minute session.

I skipped the drawing demonstration due to panicking after I couldn’t find any whiteboard markers in the room. I believe it was a mistake and I should have performed a demonstration with the tools that were available as the final drawings of the participants were quite different from what I expected.

Reflection about others’ exercises

David brought a carefully curated selection of books, each with singular and highly unusual publishing design. I picked a book with a collection of nature photography with edited colours. I found it very soothing. The paper was textured which added an extra sensory layer to the experience.

Lamprini was teaching us to take Instax photos. We were taking portraits. For a person working in tech, I am quite nervous about interacting with new devices. Lamprini made it much easier and enjoyable. As we were asked to take each others’ portraits in pairs, it was also great to get to know the people from our group better and I did my best to take a nice picture of my colleague, David.

Ella brought objects from the forest alongside personalised pieces of textured paper with symbols on them. I took it as a token of care and kindness in our little community and I really loved the relaxing and reflective environment paired with textured objects from nature which were hand-picked for us.

All of my colleagues’ teaching session brought a sense of calmness and/or community to the classroom. I was really grateful for participating in all of them and they made my day better.