Ethical Perspectives on Implementation of Computer Aided Design Curriculum in Architecture in Nigeria: A Case Study of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli
The use of Computer Aided Design (CAD)
technologies has become pervasive in the Architecture, Engineering
and Construction (AEC) industry. This has led to its inclusion as an
important part of the training module in the curriculum for
Architecture Schools in Nigeria. This paper examines the ethical
questions that arise in the implementation of Computer Aided Design
(CAD) Content of the curriculum for Architectural education. Using
existing literature, it begins this scrutiny from the propriety of
inclusion of CAD into the education of the architect and the
obligations of the different stakeholders in the implementation
process. It also examines the questions raised by the negative use of
computing technologies as well as perceived negative influence of
the use of CAD on design creativity. Survey methodology was
employed to gather data from the Department of Architecture,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, which has been
used as a case study on how the issues raised are being addressed.
The paper draws conclusions on what will make for successful ethical
implementation.
[1] National Universities Commission, "Benchmark Minimum Academic
Standards for Nigerian universities for Environmental Sciences,"
National Universities Commission, Abuja, 2007.
[2] Autodesk Inc., "CAD Software," Autodesk Inc., 2014. (Online).
Available: http://www.autodesk.com/solutions/cad-software (Accessed
2015).
[3] Merriam-Webster.com, "Ethic," Merriam-Webster.com, 2014. (Online).
Available: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethic.
[4] Dictionary.com, "Ethics," Dictionary.com, 2014. (Online). Available:
http://www.dictionary/reference.com/browse/ethics.
[5] BBC.com, "Ethics," BBC.com, 2014. (Online). Available:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/intro_1.shtml.
[6] M. Velasquez, C. Andre, T. Shanks and M. Meyer, "What is Ethics?"
Markula Center for Applied Ethics, 2010. (Online). Available:
http://www. scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html.
[7] Ethics.org.au, " What is Ethics?," St James Ethics Center, 30 October
2014. (Online). Available: http://www. ethics.org.au. /about/what-isethics.
[8] Washington Ethical Society, "What does “ethics” mean?," Washington
Ethical Society: A vibrant humanistic congregation, 30 October 2014.
(Online). Available: http://www.ethicalsociety.org/article/19/aboutwes/
ethical-culturc-our-religious-heritage/faqs-about-eth.
[9] UNIPORT, "Code of Conduct Mandate," University of Port Harcourt,
2011. (Online). Available:
http://wwv.uniport.edu.ng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article
&id=256&itemiid=298.
[10] ABU, "abucalendar," National Agricultural Extension and Research
Liaison Services, 29 July 2010. (Online). Available:
http://www.naerls.gov.ng/abucalendar/abu%20calendar%20-
%20appendices.pdf.
[11] K. Bwail, "Advantages of CAD Drafting over Manual Drafting,"
XSCAD, 8 April 2014. (Online). Available:
http://www.xscad/blog/homebuilding-sector/advantrages-of-caddrafting-
over-manual-drafting/.
[12] L. Stonecypher, "Ten Reasons why you should use CAD rather Than
Manual Drafting." Bright Hub Engineering, 16 March 2010. (Online).
Available: http: //wwv.brighthubengineering.com/cad-autocad-reviewstips/
66408-ten-reasons-why-you-should-use-cad-rather-than-man.
[13] M. D. Gross, E. Yi-Luen Do and B. R. Johnson, "Beyond the lowhanging
fruit: Information Technology in Architectural Design past,
present and future," depts.washington.edu, 2001. (Online). Available:
http://depts.washington.edu/dmachine/PAPER/AC. (Accessed
September 2014).
[14] F. Botempi, System based vision for strategic and creative design, Lisse:
CRC Press, 2003.
[15] O. A. Adebayo, "An Investigation Into The Use Of ICT In The Nigerian
Construction Industry," ITCON, vol. 12, no. Special issue, pp. 261-277,
2007.
[16] American Association of University Professors, "Statement on
Professional Ethics," American Association of University Professors,
November 2014. (Online). Available:
http://www.aaup.org/report/statement-professional-ethics.
[17] Goldey-Beacom College, "The Obligations of a Student at Goldey-
Beacom College," Goldey-Beacom College, 2013. (Online). Available:
http://gbc.edu/orientation/obligations.html [18] C. D. Marsan, "Why Computer Science Students Cheat," PC World,
April April 2010. (Online). Available: http:
//www.pcworld.com/article/194486/Computer_Science_Students_Cheati
ng.html.
[19] B. Lawson, "CAD and Creativity: Does the Computer really help?,"
2002, (Online), Available:
http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/l427/1/lawson.b1.pdf.
[1] National Universities Commission, "Benchmark Minimum Academic
Standards for Nigerian universities for Environmental Sciences,"
National Universities Commission, Abuja, 2007.
[2] Autodesk Inc., "CAD Software," Autodesk Inc., 2014. (Online).
Available: http://www.autodesk.com/solutions/cad-software (Accessed
2015).
[3] Merriam-Webster.com, "Ethic," Merriam-Webster.com, 2014. (Online).
Available: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethic.
[4] Dictionary.com, "Ethics," Dictionary.com, 2014. (Online). Available:
http://www.dictionary/reference.com/browse/ethics.
[5] BBC.com, "Ethics," BBC.com, 2014. (Online). Available:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/introduction/intro_1.shtml.
[6] M. Velasquez, C. Andre, T. Shanks and M. Meyer, "What is Ethics?"
Markula Center for Applied Ethics, 2010. (Online). Available:
http://www. scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html.
[7] Ethics.org.au, " What is Ethics?," St James Ethics Center, 30 October
2014. (Online). Available: http://www. ethics.org.au. /about/what-isethics.
[8] Washington Ethical Society, "What does “ethics” mean?," Washington
Ethical Society: A vibrant humanistic congregation, 30 October 2014.
(Online). Available: http://www.ethicalsociety.org/article/19/aboutwes/
ethical-culturc-our-religious-heritage/faqs-about-eth.
[9] UNIPORT, "Code of Conduct Mandate," University of Port Harcourt,
2011. (Online). Available:
http://wwv.uniport.edu.ng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article
&id=256&itemiid=298.
[10] ABU, "abucalendar," National Agricultural Extension and Research
Liaison Services, 29 July 2010. (Online). Available:
http://www.naerls.gov.ng/abucalendar/abu%20calendar%20-
%20appendices.pdf.
[11] K. Bwail, "Advantages of CAD Drafting over Manual Drafting,"
XSCAD, 8 April 2014. (Online). Available:
http://www.xscad/blog/homebuilding-sector/advantrages-of-caddrafting-
over-manual-drafting/.
[12] L. Stonecypher, "Ten Reasons why you should use CAD rather Than
Manual Drafting." Bright Hub Engineering, 16 March 2010. (Online).
Available: http: //wwv.brighthubengineering.com/cad-autocad-reviewstips/
66408-ten-reasons-why-you-should-use-cad-rather-than-man.
[13] M. D. Gross, E. Yi-Luen Do and B. R. Johnson, "Beyond the lowhanging
fruit: Information Technology in Architectural Design past,
present and future," depts.washington.edu, 2001. (Online). Available:
http://depts.washington.edu/dmachine/PAPER/AC. (Accessed
September 2014).
[14] F. Botempi, System based vision for strategic and creative design, Lisse:
CRC Press, 2003.
[15] O. A. Adebayo, "An Investigation Into The Use Of ICT In The Nigerian
Construction Industry," ITCON, vol. 12, no. Special issue, pp. 261-277,
2007.
[16] American Association of University Professors, "Statement on
Professional Ethics," American Association of University Professors,
November 2014. (Online). Available:
http://www.aaup.org/report/statement-professional-ethics.
[17] Goldey-Beacom College, "The Obligations of a Student at Goldey-
Beacom College," Goldey-Beacom College, 2013. (Online). Available:
http://gbc.edu/orientation/obligations.html [18] C. D. Marsan, "Why Computer Science Students Cheat," PC World,
April April 2010. (Online). Available: http:
//www.pcworld.com/article/194486/Computer_Science_Students_Cheati
ng.html.
[19] B. Lawson, "CAD and Creativity: Does the Computer really help?,"
2002, (Online), Available:
http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/l427/1/lawson.b1.pdf.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:71564", author = "Kelechi E. Ezeji", title = "Ethical Perspectives on Implementation of Computer Aided Design Curriculum in Architecture in Nigeria: A Case Study of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli", abstract = "The use of Computer Aided Design (CAD)
technologies has become pervasive in the Architecture, Engineering
and Construction (AEC) industry. This has led to its inclusion as an
important part of the training module in the curriculum for
Architecture Schools in Nigeria. This paper examines the ethical
questions that arise in the implementation of Computer Aided Design
(CAD) Content of the curriculum for Architectural education. Using
existing literature, it begins this scrutiny from the propriety of
inclusion of CAD into the education of the architect and the
obligations of the different stakeholders in the implementation
process. It also examines the questions raised by the negative use of
computing technologies as well as perceived negative influence of
the use of CAD on design creativity. Survey methodology was
employed to gather data from the Department of Architecture,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, which has been
used as a case study on how the issues raised are being addressed.
The paper draws conclusions on what will make for successful ethical
implementation.", keywords = "Computer aided design, curriculum, education,
ethics.", volume = "9", number = "12", pages = "4205-6", }
