Questionnaire IT Skills for Students – Deakin University
1. Does the University provide
online IT/Computer
skills/training for students?
1(a) What is the product used?
ANU
Bond
University
Charles Sturt
University
Curtin
University
Yes, free of charge, provide both
IT and library (info literacy)
training in a combined program,
see http://ilp.anu.edu.au for
program Teach Yourself (we use
a number of links and programs).
Not online, all students must
complete a face-to-face core
subject in computer skills for one
semester.
Some basic training and assistance
through the orientation program.
Also a bit through Student
Services, but nothing that’s
extensive or comprehensive.
We have purchased 300+ self
paced IT courses from SmartForce
which we make available to staff
and students. Specifically, we
provide on our Start-up CD which
goes out to every student 25
lessons on the Microsoft desktop
productivity tools. SmartForce.
We have just signed an extension
on the original agreement which
has given us significantly more
titles to be made available to staff
& students.
2. If yes, is the
training delivered
through a LMS,
such as Blackboard
or WebCT?
No, delivered as a
mixture of hand's on
and online. students
enrol online using a
local database
enrolment system
N/A
3. Is there verification that
the student has undertaken
the work?
N/A
N/A
Not for students.
N/A
NA
No. At present
material can be
downloaded by
academic staff and
installed. We did
purchase the Web
monitoring tool which
can be used to
monitor progress but
as yet we have not
taken advantage of it.
No. Some Schools have
begun to include the self
paced material within their
teaching programs ..... so I
suppose there is some sort of
verification?
No see previous.
Only via presenter marking
off the attendance list, but
will be able to verify online
with new system in operation
2003
4. Is the
student’s result
stored on the
student record
system?
not as yet, but
will in 2003
5. Copy of University policies,
procedures and/or guidelines if
available.
6. Contact person
parallel training program for staff as
for students. Staff pay via their
Finance manager - see terms and
conditions http://ilp.anu.edu.au/
training2002/termsconditions.html
Contact: Karen.visser@anu.edu.au
N/A
Contact: Gulcin Cribb,
University Librarian
There are no specific guidelines for
ONLINE training though we have
them for traditional IT training for
staff.
Kerryn Amery
kamery@csu.edu.au
As yet no but we are working on
some guidelines to re-engineer our
current face-to-face programs to
bring in some self paced flexible
material for those staff who find it
difficult to attend. All going well we
should have this in place by second
semester next year.
Contact: Des Thornton, A/Director
Educational and Online Technologies
(d.thornton@curtin.edu.au)
1
Deakin
University
Edith Cowan
University
Flinders
University
Griffith
University
James Cook
University
Latrobe
University
No – but we are planning to do
so
yes through a series of
workshops/seminars conducted
via the Academic Skills
Advisors. considering NetG
No. , does not provide this type
of training for students.
Yes (we provide both hands-on
computing skills workshops for a
range of supported software
applications as well as access to
self-paced online training)
Monash LearningFast (at this
stage only the TeachMe
interactive modules, online
manuals and online tutorials)
Have investigated Websters ELearning and LearnKey LearningFast still better suits our
needs at this time. It is delivered
directly through the LearningFast
site (hosted by MLF) - there are
links from within BlackBoard
No, but will in 2003. We have
chosen LearningFast after a
detailed evaluation of it and NETg
Yes – there have been trials at two
regional campuses during 2002
with plans to offer more broadly
from 2003.
Investigating a
number of products,
such as NetG,
Smartforce etc.
Not at present
although it will be in
Blackboard
We hope to deliver it through
WebCT Vista
N/A
Contact: Sue McKnight,
suemck@
deakin.edu.au
No.
No.
No policy in place.
Contact: Mark Ridge,
Manager IT Support Services.
N/A
N/A
N/A
There is an
administration module
that can accommodate
this
Yes - viewable by both
student and "administrator"
Bill Cations,
University Librarian
No policy in place
Mark Sutherland, Manager,
Information Literacy Services,
Division of Information Services,
07 5552 8987
We are interested in
this, but probably not
in 2003
A number of products
were examined and
two trialled. NETg is
the product the
University will
proceed with.
We haven't yet considered
whether this is feasible
No plans at
present
I don’t know, but I could
find out if you need to know.
N/A
No policies, etc
Ward.Saylor@jcu.edu.au, telephone
07 4781 4612
Unaware of any but could verify if
they exist.
Liz Burke, 9479 1926
l.burke@latrobe.edu.au
2
Macquarie
University
Not currently, but we are planning
to do so from Semester 1, 2003. In
2001-2 we used ElementK.
Investigating a number eg Learning
Fast, NETg, ElementK
Monash
University
Yes - for the past 2 years.
Monash Learningfast's TeachMe
and Pre-test and Assessment tool.
Queensland
Uni of Tech
No, but will be implementing
Monash Learningfast in 2003
(staff - sem 1, students sem 2).
This follows an evaluation of
NETg, SkillSoft, ElementK and
SmartForce, and a staff and
student pilot of SmartForce
during 2001/2002.
Learningfast will complement the
Integrated Student Literacies
Program which provides students
with a range of academic,
information, and technological
literacy activities during
Orientation Week. QUT has also
developed a number online
We have previously
tried delivering
ElementK through
WebCT but a huge
amount of functionality was lost.
Online training
services are delivered
via my.monash portal,
authenticated by
single Authcate
signon to MLF
products. University
has future plans in
place to add links
from Web CT to
MonashLearningFast
courses.
N/A
N/A
There is none.
Trish Edmonds
02 09506512
trish.edmonds@mq.edu.au
Yes - all results and usage
patterns are stored in student
profile on MLF server.
MLF product has its own
course tracking system.
University Training programme is
part of IT Strategic Plan. IT Training
Steering Committee is currently
being established and will aim to
provide a framework for utilizing the
online training resources to enhance
Staff Performance Management and
Career Development opportunities.
Christine Walker, Monash IT
Training Manager, Tel: 03 9905
4718
christine.walker@its.monash.edu.au
Learningfast has its
own administration
module which allows
users to monitor their
own progress. This
includes pre and post
tests with completion
certificates provided
for results over 80%.
Students will be
provided
authenticated access
via the university's
Online Learning &
Teaching system
(OLT) for teaching
Yes - viewable by both
student and "administrator"
No - stored on
individual
learning profiles
within the
database stored
on MLF server.
There are also
administrative
tools available
for supervisors to
report on student
results if
required. This
will also be
feasible via Web
CT LMS.
No plans at
present.
No policy currently in place for staff.
However, HR are currently
developing a university Workforce
Capabilities statement which may
include an IT skills component for
staff.
Literacy Contacts:
Aliisa Mylonas (Academic
Literacies) 07 3864 3754
Judy Peacock (Information
Literacies) 07 3864 2893
Ross Hall (Technological Literacies)
07 3864 2877
3
resources:
Lit Kit
<https://olt.qut.edu.au/int/litKit/>
PILOT
<http://www.library.qut.edu.au/pilot/
Student Computing Guide
<http://www.scg.qut.edu.au/>
units nominated by
course/unit
coordinators.
RMIT
Yes
Smartforce
Blackboard
N/A
N/A
not that I'm aware of; although we
encourage staff to complete
Smartforce titles before going to
outside courses.
Swinburne
University
Not generally. However, one
division of Swinburne (Swinburne
at Lilydale) does have a program
within the curriculum for all
under-graduate students at that
campus which incorporates
information skills including
IT/computer skills. This is
Information Methods, a core Year
1 subject for all under-graduate
students at the Lilydale campus.
Further information from Susan
Roberts -sroberts@swin.edu.au
We use our own curriculum
material - not a commercial
product.
No, not currently
At the Lilydale
campus, we deliver
the subject through
WebCT.
(Lilydale):Yes.The subject is
assessed by compulsory
assignments and an
examination.
(Lilydale): Yes
IT skills training exists for staff in the
TAFE Division, but not across the
Higher Education Division. Let me
know if further information would be
useful.
Derek Whitehead, Director,
Information Resources or Susan
Roberts (above) for Lilydale campus.
N/A
N/A
Provides online access to a
commercial software package for
staff and students to undertake
self-directed study for basic
IT/comper skills.
No
We would be seeking to run
it throught WebCT (Campus
Edition)
N/A
N/A
N/A
Lois Jennings, Executive Director,
Client Services Division
University of
Ballarat
University of
Canberra
4
University of
Melbourne
University of
Newcastle
University of
Queensland
No, but the Vice Chancellor has
indicated support for a
subscription to an on-line IT skills
training package for use in 2003.
This is on the understanding that it
would be an additional resource,
not a comprehensive solution to
IT/computer skills training. The
Information Division will manage
and market the package.
LearningFast is under
consideration. This product was
made available for Faculty of
Engineering students and staff to
try during semester 2 of this year.
A short evaluative report of the
trail was prepared.
Yes. NetG
We would hope to do
so. A study is
underway to
determine the most
suitable Learning
Management System
for Melbourne. We
have noted that
Monash LearningFast
say their product is
compatible with
WebCT Vista.
N/A
N/A
Susan Bray ph 8344 8322
susaneb@unimelb.edu.au
No. But NetG has
promised this for a
year and we will
deliver it through
Blackboard.
Yes. But the reporting
facilities in NetG are very
poor and impossible to
manage with large
numbers of students, so
Newcastle has had to
forgo verification of
course completion.
No.
N/A. However HR is developing
a policy for accrediting
completion of online courses for
staff.
Charmian Eckersley
charmian.eckersley@newcastle.ed
u.au
ph +61 2 4921 5858
See answer for Q1 for
Learning Fast and QuickIT &
WebCT – most of the courses
offered at UQ offer a
combination of face-to-face,
print and online learning. The
online component takes place
in a virtual learning environment created by the software
WebCT. The current version of
WebCT used at UQ is 3.6
LearningFast
results are only
stored in the
LearningFast
environment.
1) LearningFast online training via AskIT website
(http://askit.uq.edu.au/) offers variety of IT training
e.g. MS-Office, MYOB, WordPerfect, Windows 98,
ME & 2000 operating systems, Lotus Notes, General
Intro to computers, the Internet and networks,
webpage design, searching the internet. The
LearningFast software includes 8 module Benchmark
measures skills and competencies against Australian
Training Standards covering essential IT topics.
Assessment includes pre and post tests with
completion certificates provided for results over
Attached.
Wendy Fitzmaurice
w.fitzmaurice@
library.uq.edu.au
QuickIT – N/A
WebCT – results
are stored within
WebCT and
5
80%. LearningFast requires authentication.
2) QuikIT - an interactive Internet training course
available via AskIT website. No authentication
required.
University of
South
Australia
University of
the Sunshire
Coast
We offer the following:
Introduction to Computing (a very
basic intro to computing that is
offered to mature age & international students) as part of
orientation activities;
Using the Uni's Computer
Network - training sessions that
are held as part of orientation and
introduce the students specifically
to the U SA's online environment
Our own resources http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/lear
ningconnection/olenv/index.htm
The platform we use for online
delivery is our own – UniSAnet
Learningfast - online tutorials that can
be accessed by staff and students
http://www.unisanet/unisa.edu.au/lear
ningconnection/learnfast.htm
through one of our core courses,
Information and Technology.
Also IT Services offers a 2 hour
Introduction to the USC network
tutorial during O week and the
first couple of weeks of classes.
We do this ourselves
as we have our own
platform :
http://www.unisanet.u
nisa.edu.au/unisanet/
No but we are
investigating using
Blackboard for some
delivery in 2004.
Standard Edition (3.6SE).
These courses are not specific
to IT/Computer skills training
although AskIT have created a
course delivered via WebCT to
train the students in the use of
WebCT. Authentication is
required.
No
academic staff
transfer results to
the central
student record.
N/A
There isn't one policy.
Margaret Hicks, Coordinator:
Teaching and Learning Services,
Learning Connection - Flexible
Learning Centre
Yes for the core
course.
No documentation at this time. We
will also look at using Blackboard for
developing staff training. Current
practice right now is on demand
using either IT Services staff or
consultants with charge backs to cost
centres
Heather Gordon
6
University of
Southern
Queensland
USQ's academic regulations
require the curriculum in all
undergraduate programs to
address 'core competencies'.
Included among these is computer
literacy. Most programs use a
corporate course (Peoplesoft for
unit) called 'Introduction to
Computers', but some faculties
with special needs (Engineering,
Sciences) have developed their
own. Whatever the course, it is
available by distance education
when the student studies in that
mode.
Most post-graduate students study
off-campus (as do most UGs
actually). For on-campus
postgraduates there are relevant
courses that are part of staff
development programs, free to
research students, heavily
subsidised for others.
See above. The University had
offered the IDCL program but it
did not gain wide acceptance
/usage as it was not considered
user friendly.
WebCT Vista is our
program for online
delivery of
undergraduate
courses.
The course (unit) is assessed
like any other. Students
must pass all core course to
graduate.
Yes
IT policies generally are at
http://www.usq.edu.au/SECARIAT/c
alendar/Part10/index.htm
but none of them is specifically
concerned with training. IT training
courses are listed at
http://www.usq.edu.au/SECARIAT/c
alendar/Part10/index.htm, though this
does not include the courses the
Library offers, in Endnote and use of
online resources.
Madeline McPherson, University
Librarian
7
University of
Tasmania
UWS
Yes, began doing this in 2002 and
provided for staff and students.
Training in Generic Information
Technology has been supported
through the purchase of a wide
range of Element K training titles.
The titles cover application
software supplied with the
standard computer lease scheme
machines, including Microsoft
Office, commun-ications tools and
PC and Macintosh operating
systems as well as Lotus Notes,
Macro-media products and other
supported web development
software.
Not at this stage, however I
believe the University is
investigating packages such as
Monash LearningFast. In the
interim, the Library has purchased
12 month access to the Monash
LearningFast programme for
library staff only.
Yes, WebCT
No.
No.
Statement on privacy issues
http://www.utas.edu.au/
coursesonline/privacy/
index.html
Not known how the
University plans to
offer the package.
Such decisions to be
made by the
University's Graduate
Attributes Steering
Party in 2003 +
Not known, but assumed
there will be verification.
Not known,
however
assumed such
basic computer
literacy
undertakings will
be incorporated
within
assessments of
core programs.
None available at this stage. Such
policies to be developed by Graduate
Attributes Steering Party.
Robyn Benjamin, Associate Librarian
(r.benjamin@uws.edu.au, 02 9852
5892) or Lisa Tyson, Library
Systems Manager
(l.tyson@uws.edu.au, 02 9852 5890)
8
University of
Wollongong
Yes but we have had a lot of
trouble getting them going and
keeping them working.
Smartforce
No via the web.
Victoria
University
VUW
No.
N/A
No.
N/A
Yes there was when we had
them working really well for
6 months they were available
on and off campus and
student logged in using their
email user id. They would
get their results with their
name and id listed. Due to a
whole range of factors that
would take me a long time to
tell, this is no longer the
case. Everyone logs in under
a generic log in.
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Lincoln
University,
NZ
No.
None at this stage, but various
products have been evaluated and
Smartforce just recommended.
No. Human delivery
at present.
No.
No.
In the Library we have a set of IT
core Competencies which we use for
our own internal training. I am not
aware of a similar set for all staff. I
will send you a coy of the Library IT
Core Competencies and I will also
send you a copy of the University's
Tertiary Literacy Policy.
As above - it was
during that 6
month period not anymore.
NA
N/A
N/A
Alan Smith, University Librarian
None.
Isobel Mosley, University Librarian
Lynne Wright, Associate Librarian,
Client Services
U:\lbuls\questionnaires\Questionnaire IT Skills for Students.doc
Updated: 10 February 03
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