Add as a preferred source on Google

Scottish College System Adopts Virtual Desktop for Construction Students

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 01/07/21

A five-campus college in Scotland has distributed a new virtual desktop for its construction students, to allow them to work on industry-grade software from home. The platform is being used by Fife College's "Built Environment" program, which encompasses design, construction and management of human-made structures, including building services, construction, furniture making and interior design.

The new desktop lets students run high-end programs such as Autodesk, Vectorworks, Rhinoceros 3D and the Adobe Creative Cloud from remote locations on nearly any device connected to the internet. Traditionally, these kinds of applications require faster, specialized processors and more RAM than traditional office productivity programs. The faculty began its hunt for a solution when COVID restrictions were put in place, forcing the learning to happen at home.

"The new virtual desktop for our built environment and interior design students is a great example of student-centered innovation and collaboration within the college, and I have to thank our digital team for listening to our proposition then enabling this," said Marc Fleming, academic and quality manager for the faculty of Engineering, Science, Technology and Built Environment, in a statement. "Our virtual desktop will ensure learners' needs are met regardless of the circumstances, and it makes a strong statement towards eradicating digital exclusion in the region. Without the introduction of the new desktop, students may have had to spend a lot of money on a high-spec laptop to run these programs from home. Being able to access these programs remotely, without having to install anything either now gives all students greater flexibility in terms of how they engage with their studies."

"This new and exciting platform is great for inclusivity. Being able to access such lucrative software will be hugely beneficial to my progression in my education to become an architect," added Rachael Livingstone, an architectural technology student. "Not having to worry about buying a pricey high spec laptop will be less of a strain on finances that have already been hit hard due to these unprecedented times."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • Fayetteville State University Opens New Residence Hall

    Fayetteville State University (FSU) in Fayetteville, N.C., recently completed construction on a new $50-million residence hall, according to a news release. The university partnered with KWK/Jenkins • Peer Architects on the design of Bronco Pride Hall.

  • Texas State University Completes Stadium Renovations

    Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, recently announced that it has completed a series of additions and renovations to its football stadium, according to a news release. Formerly known as the Bobcat Stadium End Zone Complex, the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center is an 85,000-square-foot expansion featuring hospitality spaces, banquet spaces, exterior concourses, and upgrades to the field house.

  • University of Kentucky Receives $150M Gift Toward New Arts District

    The University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees recently received a $150-million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation, according to a university news release, to build a new arts district on the campus in Lexington, Ky. The new district will feature a new College of Fine Arts building and a multi-hundred-seat theater, among other amenities.

Digital Edition