Problem Based Learning in Constructed Textile Design

Staff observing undergraduate students enrolled on the BSc Hons Textile Design and Design Management programme in The School of Materials, The University of Manchester, identified difficulties with knowledge retention in the area of constructed textile design. Consequently an experimental pilot was carried out in seamless knitwear design using a Problem Based Learning approach, to determine whether or not this method of learning was more effective for design students. This article investigates the effects of the trial on the student volunteers and documents the shift of focus from teacher to student centred learning. It also outlines plans for future curriculum developments in other areas of constructed textile design.