Open and Distance Education Program uses the web extensively. Combined with a web
conferencing system, this course is based on collaborative activities, online assignments and
web resources. The Institute of Educational Technology which runs the course also provides
short online train the trainer courses, using the web as the primary delivery medium for
subjects such as the educational use of multimedia, the web and computer conferencing.
Further details are available at www iet.open.ac.uk.
Edith Cowan University [12] <12> (Case Study 3) (
http://www.cowan.edu.au
) is a university
in Perth, Western Australia. The university s virtual campus for web based training has an
enrolment of 8000 students in over 120 units in more than 30 courses. 15.000 of the
university s 20.000 students have access to the web for library and other services. As of
August 1998, 5 courses are completely web based. Focus is on interactive learning
environments which are supported with chat rooms, discussion boards and listervs. Course
notes are provided online in a variety of formats including html and pdf. Many units contain
media enhancements such as video, animation and sound. Access to other academic resources
such as library and study skills support are provided. Administrative services such as
enrolment, timetables and access to personal records of progress are also available.
The Lund Virtual University [89] (
http://lvu.lu.se
) claims to have 6000 students and 80
courses. The Virtual University is under construction as a common project for distance
education at The Lund University in Sweden.
Case Study 10: Institution with many students. The University of South Australia
This case study is a transcript of an interview
written by Desmond Keegan.
University of South Australia [5] <5>
(
http://www.unisa.edu.au
) had 8000
individual subject enrolments on the web in
1998. They have plans to increase the figure
dramatically in 1999, as potentially every
student in the university will be able to do
some subjects on the web. Web based
provision will be available in practically any
area of the university s curriculum. They
report to have over 70 courses at may 98. The
courses include a range of web offerings from
simple text delivery with teacher student
communication, to complete delivery of
interaction with enhanced graphic capability.
This web provision is from the Division of Education, Art and Social Sciences of the
University of South Australia. 60 students enrolled. 20 to 30 of these are Ph.D. candidates
from Canada and the rest are in Australia studying for the university s Bachelor of Education
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