Our achievements and direction
We are responding to our Vice-Chancellor’s vision for how the University will look in 2011
Our vision for the future: Great spaces, great services, for learning
Strategic priorities for 2008-9
- Contributing to the implementation of recommendations arising from the Information Futures Commission
- Leadership in the development of more consistent student computing services, that embrace emerging technologies, are relevant to the current generation of students, and sustain learning cohorts
- Contributing to the articulation and realisation of our shared “library of the future”, by participating in the implementation of the Eastern Resource Centre and Frank Tate Learning Centre, the next step in the evolution of our University’s library and educational technology services
- Contributing to the development of the Learning Management System, conceived as Blackboard plus a rich suite of integrated tools and digital resources, including Lectopia for rich media, Neo Suite for collaboration, Readings Online for recommended readings, and active development of the open source Sakai environment to support Research Higher Degree students and other research cohorts
- Embedding “rich media” experiences as an integrating element across the physical and virtual learning environments, to realise the exciting learning opportunities created by emerging new media and cost-effective advances in digital media technologies
- Collaborating with Curriculum Licensing Services to achieve appropriate balance between open access and commercialisation of selected courseware products, where aligned with University strategy, to enable Melbourne products to reach global markets
- Facilitating AV/IT design consultancy and associated project management and operational expertise, to enable innovative development of “shared learning spaces” at Parkville Campus and “faculty-managed” learning spaces on all campus.
Learning environment
The student learning environment includes shared learning spaces for scheduled activities, social learning spaces for informal learning activities which are distributed across the campus libraries (including the Percy Baxter Learning Centre) and an enterprise-wide Learning Management System.
Our portfolio of shared learning spaces is constantly evolving and now offers:
- 100 flexible & collaborative learning spaces (40% of the portfolio)
- 66 regular seminar rooms (25% of the portfolio)
- 70 iMedia theatres/theatrettes & 5 regular eLecture theatres (30% of the portfolio)
- 6 shared meeting rooms (includes Wilson Hall and Council Chamber) & 6 "basic" learning spaces
- 3 library e-learning studios
- 1 performance venue (Open Stage)
Summary of plans for 2008-09
- A critical and high-priority focus is supporting best practice use of the University's Learning Management System (LMS) for learning and teaching, which includes assisting faculties and graduate schools as they implement the LMS Framework, and active development of our open source Sakai environment.
- Enabling the deployment of appropriate digital media infrastructure across Eastern Resource Centre and Frank Tate Learning Centre.
- Active contributions to the development and implementation of our community’s vision for the Library of the future, which positions the multi-format learning hub within a broader context of supporting and enabling scholarship through integrated library services.
- Implementation of our new slide projection strategy for the period 2008-09 (following due consultation with the academic community) to ensure continued support for learning and teaching activities that are dependent upon 35mm slides (this is particularly relevant for teaching in Art History, History, Architecture, and Life Sciences)
- Since 2002, the number of theatres has dramatically declined - this trend will continue across 2008-09 as we strive to create additional flexible and technology-enabled seminar rooms for postgraduate and professional programs, and additional collaborative e-learning environments to support contemporary approaches to student learning.
- Lectopia will be available in all theatres managed by Learning Space Support , by semester one 2009
- Enhancing control systems to improve the user experience in selected learning spaces at 234 Queensberry St and in Old Arts, John Medley, Alice Hoy, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, and Arts Centre buildings. Implementation is scheduled during summer recess 2008/09
- Extending wireless coverage to all collaborative learning spaces, most seminar rooms, all iMedia theatrettes, and most iMedia theatres.
Key achievements - 2008 to date
- Managed successful transition to enterprise-wide Learning Management System
- Launched University of Melbourne at iTunes U
- Managed successful transition towards more consistent student computing services (in terms of student authentication and printing services)
- Re-designed infrastructure to deliver a more innovative environment that supports digital architecture - multimedia upgrades in Prince Philip and Sisalkraft theatres to provide improved data projection capabilities - and transformed Australian Gypsum Room into a flexible learning space that supports 3D projection and AccessGrid capabilities.
- Extended Mac mini (running dual boot) to iMedia theatrettes and iMedia theatres to provide a single device that is capable of running either a Windows or Mac environment (this will replace deployment of both PC and Mac or single PC in spaces with single data projection).
Key achievements - 2007
We have successfully completed a complex program of work to ensure that the environment remains optimal for learning and teaching.
Acknowledgments
Our projects are complex undertakings that involve extended consultation with our academic colleagues. We also acknowledge the professional assistance of:
- IS Infrastructure Program, especially the teams in Networks, and Servers and Storage
- Timetabling and Venue Hirings Office in Student Administration
- Property and Campus Services, particularly Gary Hyde and Frank McCoy from the Construction Group, Michael Tracey from the Planning and Infrastructure Group, and colleagues in the Security Office.
Jon Peacocke, Program Manager
For Learning Environments
Updated 16 June 2008