E-learning techniques in the virtual interior design studio

Abstract

Today we live in the age of digital technology with huge developments, which have affected the education field. Despite these developments being used in several design education aspects, it is still limited to a few design studio activities. The current conditions of Covid-19 have affected the educational process, and reliance on virtual teaching methods became the basis instead of face-to-face education in the design studios. This creates a challenge for academics as well as students because they didn’t practice this kind of E-learning before, in addition to relying primarily on the use of digital design tools. Hence, the research problem lies in the attempt to use digital technology and apply it to achieve effective learning through a virtual studio in comparison with a real-life studio. Therefore, this research is concerned with designing new educational techniques that use digital tools to suit the new situation to achieve effective learning for interior design students within the virtual design studio. The research aims to design three E-learning techniques within the Virtual Studio, by promoting the application of educational theories and strategies and developing interior design students’ skills. A questionnaire is designed to survey 30 students (first-year in the Interior Design and Furniture Department at the Faculty of Applied Arts, Damietta University) and determine the effectiveness of the techniques that have been used. The research finds a new approach to educational techniques that fit the interior design curriculum through the virtual studio, which will encourage students to develop design ideas and foster creativity.