Από την Απομόνωση στην Κοινότητα: Συνεργατική Επιμέλεια Εκθεσης XR για την Εξ Αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευση στο Design

Abstract

The traditional design studio, a cornerstone of design education, relies on physical co-presence to foster community and peer critique—a model that poses a significant challenge for online and distance learning (ODL) programs. This paper presents a qualitative case study of a pedagogical intervention designed to address this challenge within a postgraduate Graphic Design module. Students, who had previously worked only in isolation, were required to form small groups and collaboratively curate a 3D virtual exhibition of their collective work using the CREAMS Virtual Reality (VR) platform. Through a thematic analysis of instructor observations, student group reports, and post-project questionnaires, this study evaluates the impact of the intervention on the student experience.

The findings indicate that the collaborative curatorial process was highly effective in fostering a sense of community and developing professional skills, thereby mitigating student isolation. However, the study also revealed significant frustrations due to technical limitations and usability issues of the VR platform. Finally, we highlight the study’s theoretical contributions, innovative methodology, transferability, and the significance of its findings, and offer recommendations for educators and developers of educational XR environments.