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Three different observation methods were used. Interviews were used<br />

after <strong>the</strong> completion <strong>of</strong> VDS 3 workshop <strong>the</strong> aim was to f<strong>in</strong>d out how<br />

lecturers perceived VDS 3 as a <strong>virtual</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g environment tool. The<br />

technological tools used were exam<strong>in</strong>ed and <strong>the</strong> lecturers‟ attitude<br />

towards <strong>the</strong>m, evaluat<strong>in</strong>g its ways <strong>for</strong>ward, <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> VDS 3 on<br />

<strong>the</strong> students and <strong>the</strong> curriculum, and if <strong>the</strong> VDS 3 outcome meet its<br />

goal. The <strong>in</strong>terviews were analysed by highlight<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> ma<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>mes.<br />

Focus groups were used to exam<strong>in</strong>e students‟ attitudes towards us<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>the</strong> new tools and how <strong>the</strong>y perceived VDS 3 as a <strong>virtual</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

environment tool from <strong>the</strong>ir own po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>of</strong> view, what difficulties <strong>the</strong>re<br />

were and/or how VDS 3 helped <strong>the</strong>m, as well as how it affected <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

future studies. Observational checklists were also carried out while <strong>the</strong><br />

students were per<strong>for</strong>m<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> tasks and undertak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> VDS 3<br />

workshop to exam<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>in</strong>teraction with <strong>the</strong> new environment and<br />

whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> VDS 3 achieved its goal.<br />

7.3 VDS 3-Workshop Evaluation<br />

In this section <strong>the</strong> evaluation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> VDS 3-workshop is presented. The<br />

VDS 3 was implemented <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> Sharjah as an <strong>in</strong>tensive<br />

workshop last<strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong> ten days. This section will present <strong>the</strong> needs<br />

analysis <strong>for</strong> VDS 3, and <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> both <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>mative evaluation and<br />

<strong>the</strong> summative evaluation.<br />

7.3.1 The Needs Analysis <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> VDS 3<br />

Based on <strong>the</strong> feedback <strong>of</strong> phases one and two, VDS 3 was <strong>for</strong>mulated,<br />

implemented, and evaluated. A VDS curriculum was developed and<br />

VDS 3 tools were <strong>in</strong>tegrated. Prior to <strong>the</strong> actual <strong>implementation</strong> a<br />

rehearsal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> VDS took place <strong>in</strong> September/October 2009. Students<br />

from Glamorgan University and Swansea University volunteered to<br />

undertake this workshop. The mock study imitated <strong>the</strong> exact scenario <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> targeted study on a smaller scale. The mock study took place at<br />

Glamorgan University from <strong>the</strong> period <strong>of</strong> 23 <strong>of</strong> September 2009 to <strong>the</strong><br />

10 th <strong>of</strong> October 2009. The ten students who volunteered were provided<br />

with materials, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> handouts, <strong>the</strong> workbook, <strong>the</strong> programme,<br />

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