Abstract:
Emerging technologies allow digital production to be used within the initial stages of
architectural design. The design process, in which drawing is the main tool, is affected
with the rapid increase of digital production in the building sector and increasing
awareness on digital drawing and production/fabrication is an undeniable fact of 21st
century. In this context, the article investigates the status of hand (manual) and
computer (digital) based drawings in architectural education; the students' perceptions
and its effects on their performances. A case study -within the context of the
Construction Systems II course given at the Architecture Department of Çankaya
University-has been conducted to evaluate/quantify the students’ perceptions in order to
demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of hand and computer based drawings.
Positive correlations of the familiarity to the drawing tool with easy correction of mistakes
and relation of familiarity to the drawing tool with time management is observed. Based
on the research; there is not a significant difference between hand based or computer
based tools regarding spent time for the work in student practices; however, the process
regarding revision, correction, or composition of drawing decreases time spent in
computer aided drawing. Consequentlyit has been noticed that as the capability in
drawing tool increased, the class performance of students increased too. The outcomes
of the case study based on observations, evaluation, questionnaires and analysis
covering an academicterm, are discussed in detail within the scope of the article.
