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

The needs analysis and the documentation review highlighted the
important pedagogical aspects that needed to be integrated into the
curriculum to enhance learning using the technology. The goal was also
to get more insight and fresh ideas on how to incorporate the VDS into
the design curriculum in the UAE.
A thorough revision of the literature was then conducted to evaluate and
identify the international best practised VDS. 284 From the obtained
definition of VDS (see Section One), the author created an evaluation
scheme to evaluate the first developed VDS. The evaluation scheme
consisted of a database repository system. The main aim of this system
was to identify the international best practice of VDS for two purposes:
first identifying the tools that may be useful for effective learning, and
secondly to be used as a basis for a short course, as this is part of the
research procedure. 285 The database acted as a repository where
existing practice could be entered, queried, and analysed to find the
practice(s) that most completely fulfilled criteria for best practice (Figure
6.3). The practice(s) were queried and those that met all or most criteria
could then be considered the best practice. A conceptual framework
was then developed for the second VDS and new technological and
pedagogical tools were added. Depending on the literature review, the
author identified the common components characterised by a VDS and
accordingly a database form was created using Microsoft Access
(Figure 6.3). The database was created to extract the existence of the
use of technology with the idea of relating the VDS tools to the features
of the constructivist and cognitive learning theory.
284 Al-Ali, A., Sharma, P. (2009). op.cit. p245-256.
285 Al-Ali, A., Sharma, P. (2009). op. cit.p245-256.
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