Implementing technologies for teaching Fashion

Kristina Shin
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong SAR, China
Kevin Downing and Ivan Lam
City University
Hong Kong SAR, China

The increasing use of technological innovations has allowed the ever-changing fashion world to offer products more quickly, less expensively and in greater abundance than ever before (Chase 1997). The fashion industry now relies upon new technologies to design clothing styles, produce garments, and develop marketing strategies. Consequently, it is essential that Fashion students gain early exposure to these various technologies if they are to be competitive in the business world (Threlfall 2001). The implementation of technologies in the classroom is a particular challenge for teaching demonstration-driven subjects such as fashion design, pattern-making and technology. For example, whilst sewing machine technology and the techniques for using sewing machines effectively have improved significantly over the past few decades, teaching their use in the traditional classroom setting has changed little since the first sewing machines were invented during the 19th century.

This paper introduces a new classroom setting, which makes extensive use of technology to improve instruction for those who teach subjects that are heavily reliant upon demonstrations. This simple and relatively inexpensive innovation will contribute significantly to the student learning experience in demonstration-based courses. Particular benefits of these methods include:

• the enhancement of students' learning capability;
• reduced time-wasting in repeating demonstrations;
• improved student retention; and
• clearly explained class instruction.