Application of ICT tools in architectural education: Current trends

Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as the prime axis of educational development in the third millennium, influences the way we live and our interactions with other people and their physical spaces. Rapid scientific and technical progress and the information revolution complemented by technology have given architectural education a new character and structure, leading to changes in the learning and teaching process. This paper presents a literature review of existing ICT tools that can be successfully used in the learning and teaching process of architectural education. This study identified a wide range of ICT tools currently being used worldwide in architectural education to help students learn more effectively and to guide teachers in approaching a variety of teaching methods. This paper will focus on how ICT tools can support better architectural education; possible practical applications in site analysis, lay-out development, mapping crafting concepts and ideas, 3D modelling, and finally presentation of students’ work. After a comprehensive assessment of the various existing ICT tools and their practical applications, followed by critical reflections on the pros and cons of their use in architectural education, a new direction will be developed to guide the students and faculties of architecture in choosing the appropriate ICT tools when needed.