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

Chapter 4: Teaching and Learning Methods in the UAE
4.1 Introduction
This chapter provides an overview of the Higher Education scene in the
UAE. The main concern of this chapter is to provide an indication of the
teaching and learning practice in the UAE. The objective of this chapter
is to familiarise the reader with the Higher Education environment in the
UAE in general and of architecture education in particular. It also
outlines the development of Higher Education establishments in the
UAE. The chapter names the premier educational institutes, and
considers the architecture design curriculum in the UAE focusing on
design studio and its practice within UAE educational system. The
chapter finally highlights the vision of the UAE as far as education is
concerned and plans for sustainable development.
4.2 Teaching and Learning
Since the introduction of Problem-Based Learning (PBL), the higher
education institutes all around the world have been challenged to
implement the new methods of teaching. PBL, active learning, and
student-centred learning are all new approaches that shift the focus from
the teacher to the student. Hesson and Shad 226 emphasise the need for
successful technology-supported educational programmes. They
conducted a study at the UAE University and concluded that teaching
and learning in the UAE follows the old method of learning that
concentrates on teaching rather than learning. The methods used in the
UAE Higher Education are not particularly much different from those
used in secondary schools in the same country. The focus on teaching
and learning has moved lately more towards student-centred
learning 227,228,229 rather than teacher-centred learning. In student-
226
Hesson M., Shad, K. F. (2007). ‘a student-centered learning model’. American Journal of Applied
Sciences, 4(9), p628-636.
227
Hung, D. T., S. C. Cheung, W. S., And Hu, C. (2004). op.cit. p120-128.
228
Hesson M., Shad, K. F. (2007). op.cit. p. 628-636.
74