Technology and tools

The main educational ICT technology used at Flinders is Flinders Learning Online (FLO – previously referred to as WebCT). Refer to Overview of FLO for further information.

For information and assistance on designing a fully online or distance topic, contact David Green on (08) 8201 3096.

Other educational ICT's in use at Flinders include (but are not limited to):

• Video conferencing
• Audience response systems
• Blogs
• Text matching software
• Lecture recordings
• ePortfolios.

Video conferencing

Video conferencing allows two or more locations to communicate via video and audio. Video conferencing is a synchronous form of communication (ie participants need to be in a video conferencing location at the same time in order to communicate).

For more information on using video conferencing in your teaching, please contact the support officers in your Faculty.

Audience response systems (Clickers)

The term ‘clickers' is used to describe systems whereby a presenter projects slides containing questions with series of possible answers. Audience members use individual wireless keypads to nominate answers, which are collated and displayed within the presentation.

The use of ‘clickers' is currently being trialled at Flinders University. For further information contact David Green on (08) 8201 3096.

Blogs

The term ‘Blog' was derived from the words ‘web log' and refers to a web area that allows chronological entries by users, often in a journal style. FLO (WebCT) now contains a Blog-style discussion tool that can be used in topics at Flinders University.

For further information contact David Green on (08) 8201 3096.

Text matching software

Text matching software electronically matches text in student assignments with other electronic sources of text (eg other student papers, the internet). While this type of software can be used as a plagiarism detection tool, it can also, and more importantly, be used as an educative tool. Through the provision of student access to the software, students can learn more about the process of academic writing thereby improving their skills.

Text matching software may be used in topics and is also available through the Student Learning Centre to assist students understand proper referencing techniques.

Lecture recordings

Face to face lectures can be recorded using audio or audio/visual equipment and made available to students in a variety of methods (eg video or audio tape/CD/DVDs on loan from library, video streaming via the web, audio files available for download).

For more information on recording your lectures, please contact the contact the Multimedia Technology Unit.

ePortfolios

An ePortfolio (electronic portfolio, or digital portfolio) is a collection of electronic information (text, Word and PDF files, images, multimedia, blog entries, Web links etc) that is compiled by an individual and usually stored online. ePortfolios can provide evidence of acheivements and can be maintained and updated in a manner similar to a curriculum vitae. Students can allow access to potential employers or use ePortfolios during their studies as a learning record.

The use of ePortfolios is being trialled at Flinders University in 2007. For further information contact David Green on (08) 8201 3096.