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

society, and the diverse socio-cultural factors within the country. The
framework will also address pedagogical issues, which are fundamental,
when integrating technology in education. This study will investigate
issues related to learning and teaching architecture design as a basic
tool. The study will develop a framework to implement high
technological tools and techniques in the UAE education system. The
framework will take into account the incorporation of collaboration and
creativity skills. Researchers 50,51 believe that these skills are essential
for future developments; hence, should be acquired. This will be tackled
within an action research framework. The researcher will evaluate
several case studies to assess the appropriate promotion of
collaborative and creative skills in education. The researcher then will
identify the best international practice as part of her research. The
researcher will also highlight the utilisation of the best practice and its
suitability for the purpose of this work. This study aims to make
theoretical contributions through the development of a framework to
support design education in the architecture education of the UAE.
The key issues that this study analyses are:
1) Formulation of a valuable framework that adheres to the high
international standards and meets the need of the UAE society.
2) Assessment of students‟ interaction with the implemented
framework.
3) Identification of the socio-cultural factors that have affected the
implementation of the VDS framework.
4) Evaluation of the impact of VDS on the educational system in the
UAE.
1.6 Research Question
As technology advances, the Higher Education (HE) institutes have
consistently come under lots of pressure and undergone periods of
50 Hung, D. T., Cheung, S. C., And Hu, C. (2004). op.cit. p120-128.
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