framework for the implementation of a virtual design studio model in ...

6.3 Phase One
The needs analysis in phase one concentrated on identifying the vision
of the UAE government in terms of education development and defining
the broad lines for the implementation of technology in design education
(chapter three). The lack of potential utilisation technology in the UAE
despite the availability of resources was then acknowledged. 275 An
investigation was performed to identify the available technologies that
could enhance performance in design education. A thorough literature
review was executed at this stage of phase one. The literature review
consisted of document revision and curriculum revision as explained in
chapter five. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum
stresses the importance of human development and the preparation of
the UAE nationals as successful leaders. In addition, His Excellency
Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan, the Minister of Higher Education in the
UAE has consistently emphasises the importance of integrating new
technologies by highlighting the importance of their role, as well as his
expectations of the graduates of the UAE universities to be equipped
with language skills along with information technology. 276
This promoted the researcher to review the existing literature on the use
of technology in architecture design education to identify the new
technologies in teaching design technology. The literature review
revealed that the use of technology in architecture in general and in
design in particular has gone through many phases pinpointing the
Virtual Design Studio (VDS) as the latest and the trendiest form
(Chapter Two). 277 Based on the UAE society requirements and the
international approach the first VDS was then developed.
275 Al-Ali, A. I. (2007). op.cit. p439-456.
276 Sayed, S. (2002). Women, Politics, Development in the United Arab Emirates.
277 Andia, A. (2001). Integrating digital design in architecture during the past three decades. Computer
Society.
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