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

The figure above shows the main themes of discussion in this section
and their subsections.
8.2 Technology
Technology is the main driver for this research. It was considered as
the main theme from where all the other themes have emerged. This
classification is due to the role that technology is aimed to achieve in
terms of promoting the other themes. As this VDS 3 utilises technology
to promote skills such as creativity and collaboration so the use of
technology was subdivided according to its promotion of those skills,
which is further subdivided to more subsections. The students showed
great interest in the use of technological tools. This was not a surprise
as the students were aware when they enrolled for this workshop that it
is technology oriented workshop. Some technological tools received
greater interest from the student. This is due to the nature of each
technological tool applied. Some of the tools were straightforward and
required less learning time. While others like SecondLife were more
complicated and they were also expensive to use.
8.3 Collaboration
Participants in VDS 3 stated that collaboration was the key driver behind
the project and therefore became the foundation of it. “You start
building the team as soon as you start the activities.” For the UAE being
classified as a sociable culture by Hofstede‟s 317 individualism and
collectivism indices it was not surprising to observe that the students
started working in groups before they were asked to. Even if the activity
suggested working individually the students still consulted and asked
other students in the class. Collaboration as stated earlier in this study
was one of the main themes of the VDS 3 workshop that aimed at
promoting collaboration among the student in the University of Sharjah
using technology.
317 Hofstede G. (2001). op.cit.p282.
172