Online Collaboration in Design Education: an Experiment in Real‐Time Manipulation of Prototypes and Communication

Abstract

The features of collaboration in design education include effective and efficient communication and reflection, and feasible manipulation of design objects. For collaborative design, information and communication technology offers educators the possibility to change design pedagogy. However, there is a paucity of literature on relative advantages and disadvantages of online collaboration for real‐time manipulation of design objects and prototypes, particularly in web design education. Using survey instrumentations, this study investigated online collaborative design practices with an application by measuring experiences of communication and interaction among twelve designers who are enrolled in a Master's programme in interactive design. The study identified barriers to online collaboration design: (1) real‐time manipulation of design objects and prototypes may increase complexity of communication interaction; (2) records of communication and invisibility of team members may attenuate quality and frequency of critical feedback to each other; (3) students’ attitudes towards collaboration, individual students’ learning goals, and completing tasks in a timely manner could reduce their engagement and increase their reliance on teacher intervention.

Guideline to Develop an Instructional Design Model Using Video Conference in Open Learning

“…Thereafter, the researcher brings the topics forward to create the in-depth interview questions. This concurs with [39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [46], [47], [48].…”

“…With the adequate design of instructional models using video conference, an instructor can guide learners to communicate amongst themselves and can create a learning format that enable learners to gain knowledge and discover new content together. [26], [27], [28], [29], [30].…”

An Investigation into a Digital Strategy for Industrial Design Education

“…Digital technologies enhance the design process by enabling remote interaction between designer and client (Lau et al 2003) and members of a new product development team (Unver 2006). They facilitate collaboration (Dreamson 2017), allow effective modifications to concepts and facilitate the production of detailed, accurate and reliable objects (Pipes 2007). Digital technologies enable designers to create complex products that would not be possible using conventional techniques (Shih 2006).…”

Beyond Isolation

“…Previous studies have explored issues of collaborative design, including communication patterns [8], pedagogical methodology [9], and design outcomes [6], yet there is limited research focusing on students' perspectives throughout the design process, especially within online learning environments. Within the unique learning and designing processes during the pandemic, how did students perceive the benefits and challenges of collaborative activities?…”