Getting Their Hands Dirty: Qualitative Study on Hands-on Learning for Architectural Students in Design-build Course

This qualitative study provides an in-depth perspective of hands-on learning through the observation and analysis of architectural students‟ views in a design-build program at the university of nebraska-lincoln during the fall semester of 2008. qualitative data was gathered from 14 participants involved in the construction of a low energy double-storey house in the city of lincoln, nebraska. the study inventoried the requisite characteristics of a design-build course. participants‟ views and activities were studied to ascribe the qualitative benefits of hands-on learning. in addition, students‟ motivation towards hands-on activities were evaluated in reference to student confidence and independence levels towards their future career as architects, designers or other design-build professionals. the findings showed the design-build course could offer a specific knowledge that link between theoretical subjects and the practical expect of building contractions