This thesis analyzes the application of computer aided design tools and online collaboration environments in design education. The focus of this study is the utilization of online collaboration environments in design education in order to conduct an efficient and effective virtual design studio course. The requirements of design education and online collaboration environments will be identified and the coinciding and conflicting points will be discussed. The elements of design education / the concept generation phase of design process, peer learning in design studio and design juries will be evaluated with regard to the literature survey and the findings of the case study. The findings of the case study indicated that in concept generation phase of design process the number of concepts created was not less than a similar project in a traditional design studio and publishing students&rsquo / works to public via a shared online environment motivated students in a positive way to participate in studio activities in a positive way.

Today, the impact of information technologies on education field is ever more clarified with the integration of new tools and methods to the education. Education has been becoming away from the traditional classroom environment through virtual environment. Besides education of theoretical disciplines, education of practice based disciplines, like design related disciplines are moving toward virtual environments. One of these is Industrial Design (ID) education which also has made the transition to the virtual world. This thesis aims to explore and scrutinize the latest forms of ID education, especially the online distance ID education. In order to comprehend the technological progress of ID education and its possible future, an overview of the origins and an evaluation of the current state of distance online ID education are made. By this study, it is expected to shed light to the design educators and the educational systems&rsquo / developers, for designing these environments. At the end of this research, it is concluded that it is not possible to imagine a future of ID education without technology integration. However, it would be better to apply both technological and traditional methods. In fact, the key people in the development of these educational systems and tools would be the designers themselves.

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