Web Based Collaborative Learning:
The Virtual Design Studio
The coordination of research activities with other disciplines, institutions and international partners is often challenged by the constraints of time zone differences, schedules, pedagogies, and language barriers. The web-based collaborative learning (WBCL) communication system was designed to create an accessible, secure methodology for sharing scholarly resources with project workgroups. Funded by Provost Learning Innovation Grants (PLIG) in 2016 and 2018, this research tool synthesizes existing cyber technology, multimedia and software to invigorate exchanges between colleagues who are exploring global issues challenging the world today. The Virtual Design Studio is currently an active compendium of scholarly activity for faculty and students engaged in collaborative, multidisciplinary projects at RIT initiated through the interior design program.
Our Research
Hypothesis
The user interface features of Dropbox Paper are more akin to the speed and functionality associated with social media and text driven communication used globally and particularly with the millennial demographic. These modalities create a common “language” with a wider and more familiar appeal to students, nationally and internationally. Given the extensive use of cell phones for communication in the developing world and under resourced countries, we hypothesize that the new optimization features will have widespread appeal, particularly with our project partners in Honduras.
Through use of the tool, current and future participants will discover approaches for culturally relevant problem solving with peers from varied disciplines. As members of a STEAM collective students will continue to learn how to organize teamwork structures and negotiate leadership models through effective communication and the dynamics of collaboration that maximize their effectiveness in leadership roles and as contributing team members. Overarchingly, the teaming activities inherent in the tool will continue to help students:
Through use of the tool, current and future participants will discover approaches for culturally relevant problem solving with peers from varied disciplines. As members of a STEAM collective students will continue to learn how to organize teamwork structures and negotiate leadership models through effective communication and the dynamics of collaboration that maximize their effectiveness in leadership roles and as contributing team members. Overarchingly, the teaming activities inherent in the tool will continue to help students:
- Understand how social, economic, and cultural contexts vary according to geographic location and societal norms
- Prepare to work in a variety of contexts as well as across geographic, political, social, environmental, cultural, and economic conditions
- Understand the value of integrated design and technology practices by working in multidisciplinary, STEAM based, teams
Optimization
The original site pilot tested methods of exchange through the international studio collaboration with Malmo University to critique student work for the Sweden + Syria: A Cultural Convergence project addressing the migration of displaced peoples. With the basic structure formed from the pilot, the WBCL became the primary scholarly resource and research tool for RIT Hope for Honduras project workgroups. An anecdotal survey of users in 2017 discovered that (1) Large files | pages were slow to open or access in all participating countries; (2) Low bandwidth was especially a problem in Honduras with averages of 2.6 Mpbs downloading and 1.92 Mpbs uploading; (3) Inconsistent connectivity in Honduras; (4) Navigation was not intuitive and users had difficulty cross referencing content especially if an in person walk-through of the site was not provided; (5) Conversational communication was limited to comment boxes that did not notify users that new content had been loaded; (6) Strategic international partners were not using the site regularly; and (7) The public face of site did not offer enough information or highlight finished projects. Evaluation from user feedback of the original site indicated that the scale and scope of the projects had outgrown the tools offered and that modifications were required to optimize user experience and international collaboration.
The second phase of the project focused on optimizing the user experience by improving the WBCL user interface through graphic clarifications, intuitive access to information, an expansion of language translation and enhancements to synchronous communication. Content from the original site has been fully migrated to the new Dropbox Paper site. The site has been optimized to accommodate low bandwidth regions and is adaptive to media such as computers, tablets and cell phones. The new features enable users to crowd-source research, edit content and collaborate in real time, through expansive documentation mediums including video and media integration. Navigation has been consolidated to a table of contents page with highlighted links that take users directly into edit ready content. Communication is dynamic with the speed and ease of texting. Most of the Honduras site content translates to Spanish so that information is readily accessible to our in-country project partners. The site is fully secure and accessible only by permission or invitation.
The second phase of the project focused on optimizing the user experience by improving the WBCL user interface through graphic clarifications, intuitive access to information, an expansion of language translation and enhancements to synchronous communication. Content from the original site has been fully migrated to the new Dropbox Paper site. The site has been optimized to accommodate low bandwidth regions and is adaptive to media such as computers, tablets and cell phones. The new features enable users to crowd-source research, edit content and collaborate in real time, through expansive documentation mediums including video and media integration. Navigation has been consolidated to a table of contents page with highlighted links that take users directly into edit ready content. Communication is dynamic with the speed and ease of texting. Most of the Honduras site content translates to Spanish so that information is readily accessible to our in-country project partners. The site is fully secure and accessible only by permission or invitation.
Implementation + Longevity
With the Memorandum of Understanding signed between RIT and Honduran university, UNITEC in Spring 2019 a more extensive evaluation of international functionality for the new site can be performed. Prior to the MOU signature, engagement in evaluating the original site was limited to a few key faculty at UNITEC and one doctor in the NICU at Hospital Escuela. Pedagogically, participating faculty will continue to expand their teaching and research base by mentoring and discovering new opportunities to advance instruction modalities. Project workgroups will now have access to new streams of research and collaboration benefitting scholarship at the participating institutions. Improved project sharing and communication will provide ongoing educational opportunities extending beyond this project. We continue to collect reports on browser speed for optimizing content with international partners in Honduras on a variety of devices.
The activities of this funded PLIG will have long term, wide reaching impact that will expand typical academic and international exchanges. Serving as the primary communication platform, the site is the hub for ongoing social entrepreneurship projects for the RIT Hope for Honduras initiative. Results of this grant funded activity will be disseminated for professional publication, academic and professional conferences by the PI and CoPI.
The activities of this funded PLIG will have long term, wide reaching impact that will expand typical academic and international exchanges. Serving as the primary communication platform, the site is the hub for ongoing social entrepreneurship projects for the RIT Hope for Honduras initiative. Results of this grant funded activity will be disseminated for professional publication, academic and professional conferences by the PI and CoPI.
Funding
The 2018 PLIG Focus Grant for Active Learning, a $1000 award funded optimization of the original site and user interface developments to strengthen international exchange between Honduran partners and the Hope for Honduras research team at RIT.
PI: Assistant Professor Mary Golden
Co-PI: Miguel Cardona
The 2016 PLIG Focus Grant for Active Learning, a $5000 award funded enabled the construction of the original scholarship and work group site with pilot testing between Malmo University, UNITEC, RIT and project stakeholders.
PI: Assistant Professor Mary Golden
PI: Assistant Professor Mary Golden
Co-PI: Miguel Cardona
The 2016 PLIG Focus Grant for Active Learning, a $5000 award funded enabled the construction of the original scholarship and work group site with pilot testing between Malmo University, UNITEC, RIT and project stakeholders.
PI: Assistant Professor Mary Golden
Visit the news page to see how this tool supported student projects and research. If you are interested in more information about the site or research projects please contact Asst Prof. Mary Golden
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