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

the diary of events, and the timetable before they attended the
workshop. The workshop was then carried out as it was planned to be,
the volunteers having to attend some lectures and carry out some virtual
work during this time. The volunteers were introduced to the tools of the
workshop and their relevance to the aims and objectives of the study.
The feedback from this mock study was then used to improve the
materials as well as delivery methods for the VDS 3. There were some
other factors predicted to restrict the VDS 3. Some of them are cultural
restrictions, students other commitments and staff involvement. The
next section will highlight these factors.
First, there were time constraints, as the Glamorgan University volunteer
students had other commitments and could not devote all their time to
the intensive nature of the studio. Secondly, the restrictions existing on
the Internet by the internet service provider in the UAE restricted the
students‟ accessibility to everything that is available on the World Wide
Web. Finally, the implementation of complete digital learning materials
covering the whole curriculum was too much to compose within the time
given.
Because of the time constraints for the students and the university, the
timetable of the workshop had to be altered and extra virtual tools had to
be implemented to compensate for the restrictions which enriched the
studio experience with more virtual communications and to give the
students flexibility and control over their working time. The second goal
was to provide as much material as possible on Facebook to overcome
the restriction of the internet service provider in the UAE. The final goal
was to make a framework of VDS 3 for the students to use and ideas of
extending the workshop to run over a longer period of time was
suggested by the University of Sharjah administrators.
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