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

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positive attitude toward technology <strong>in</strong>tegration <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

environment; one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se factors is motivation. As <strong>the</strong> students will be<br />

encouraged to create <strong>the</strong>ir e-portfolios, <strong>the</strong> lecturers also should do <strong>the</strong><br />

same and create <strong>the</strong>ir e-portfolios. The e-portfolio will be used <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

purposed <strong>of</strong> showcas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> faculty‟s knowledge and will be a motivat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

factor <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>m <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir pr<strong>of</strong>essional development process as <strong>the</strong>y can<br />

show <strong>the</strong>ir acquisition <strong>of</strong> knowledge through time. The university could<br />

use this to set up an onl<strong>in</strong>e award <strong>for</strong> best development which <strong>in</strong> turn will<br />

motivate <strong>the</strong> staff.<br />

9.5.3.2 Climate <strong>for</strong> Experiment<strong>in</strong>g<br />

One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most crucial factors <strong>in</strong> fear<strong>in</strong>g technology is <strong>the</strong> failure <strong>in</strong> its<br />

proper use. As <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terviews <strong>in</strong>dicated, some faculties refra<strong>in</strong> from<br />

us<strong>in</strong>g available technologies because <strong>the</strong>y are not sure <strong>of</strong> its success if<br />

used. Provid<strong>in</strong>g a suitable climate <strong>for</strong> experimentation without fear is<br />

one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most important factors <strong>in</strong> promot<strong>in</strong>g creativity and <strong>the</strong> UAE as<br />

a country took <strong>the</strong> lead <strong>in</strong> apply<strong>in</strong>g this approach <strong>in</strong> its tactic <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

development. The universities should be no different and <strong>the</strong> staff and<br />

<strong>the</strong> students should be allowed <strong>the</strong> chance to experiment <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong><br />

technology with <strong>the</strong> availability <strong>of</strong> proper technical support.<br />

9.5.4 Recommendation 4: VDS Enhancement and Mobile Learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

As <strong>the</strong> students <strong>in</strong> VDS 3 benefited from <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> Facebook as a<br />

collaborative social network which raised an issue <strong>of</strong> security <strong>in</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />

materials published onl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> addition to students‟ work that is also made<br />

available onl<strong>in</strong>e as a mean <strong>of</strong> exchange <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation with team<br />

members or as a showcase <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir work. These issues need attention <strong>in</strong><br />

future versions as far as copyright issues and ethical issues are<br />

concerned.<br />

The use <strong>of</strong> Facebook accounts and <strong>the</strong> encouragement <strong>of</strong> students to<br />

create <strong>the</strong>ir own educational pr<strong>of</strong>ile could reap benefit by mak<strong>in</strong>g a long-<br />

term functionality policy <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> students‟ use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir portfolios <strong>for</strong> future<br />

use.<br />

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