A practice of togetherness: an experience of online learning during the first COVID.19 lockdown

Abstract

This paper aims to share the learning practice carried out in academic year 2019/2020 of the PhD in Architecture at the School of Architecture, Art and Design (EAAD) of the University of Minho, in Guimarães, Portugal. Guided by the key Motto "Making-with," this cross-disciplinary program turned out to be predominantly an experience of online learning during the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Under this totally unforeseen situation, how did we adapt the learning practice to online teaching? How did we cope with the uncertainty and the solitude of these times? We start this paper by explaining the context of what happened. Then there follows a reflection on how we adapted to the contingency of time, and how this unfolded in three main scales of togetherness: a) the scale of the students and the PhD professor; b) the scale of the school and university; and finally, c) the scale of the planet, with international keynote speakers that otherwise would not be part of this journey. I argue that if empathy is relevant in any practice of learning, in the online format it is critically vital. This paper is made with the contribution of the students of this PhD edition. Talking about togetherness implies integrating the individuals that belong to this group. This collective endeavor was only possible due to their generosity and willingness to keep going despite all the difficulties we were all experiencing.