Education to Teamwork in Building Technology MHPO - Method Holistic Participation - A Contribution to Technology Education

Abstract

Technology mostly is characterized by a high degree of complexity. This demands in practice the cooperation and collaboration of various experts. Scientists, technologists, but also very often specialists in the fields of finance, economy or commerce, politics, sociality and management together are the participants in solving technological problems. Moreover we may not forget, that various governmental levels and particularly the clients are shaping the final technological processes and results.

In a time of a growing environmental consciousness about the ecological problems, which are also created by the way in which technology is developed and applied, we have to consider a (more) harmonious ‘collaboration’ with the energies and resources or shortly the natural base on and within which (human) life can find its vital conditions.

Former cultures knew consultation processes in order to solve their problems. Konrad Wachsmann and Walter Gropius introduced in the fourties a method for design and development of buildings and building products, which considers highly the complex ‘natur’ of this process.

Based on this ‘pioneering’ approaches the author continued and developed these inputs to the MHP - Method Holistic Participation. This method was proofed in many workshops in several countries and with the most different groups beside the use of it, with students in different ages including also 14- and 18-year old pupils and students. The method was applied in work with experts in several fields, like physics or educators and members of communes, who wanted to build a common neighbourhood and politicians as well.

In this paper it will be shown, how the method is structured and which results - by examples - can be reached. A list with references about the teamworkshops and MHP-sessions within the Eindhoven University as well as in practise around, with which quite a lot of experiences could be gained, and some fruitful examples will conclude this contribution.