The perceptions of learners on the effectiveness of e-learning in higher education: An empirical study

This paper examines the critical dimensions of the effectiveness of e-learning from the perspective of e-learners within the framework of pedagogy, technology and management of learning resources in higher education. A survey is conducted in an Australian University for exploring the association between the critical dimensions of e-learning and the learners' perceived impact of these dimensions on the e-learning effectiveness using multiple regression analysis. The results show that technology, management of learning resources, metadata and management effectiveness of learning resources positively influence the effectiveness of e-learning in higher education.

Freshman residential schools for undergraduate on-campus and on-line engineering students

By means of evidence-based practice, this paper describes the residential-school component of an accredited online (distance education) undergraduate engineering program in Australia, with a particular focus on how the residential school program is implemented at freshman year. During these residential schools, activities were organised around the respective engineering courses undertaken by students during the semester. Elements considered suitable and worthwhile for inclusion in residential-school programs included: • In-person engagement with academic lecturers, • Practical and laboratory learning activities, • Presentations and interaction with guest speakers from industry, • Industry-based site visits, • Engagement in sole and group-based learning and assessment activities on campus, and • Social interaction with other students. After running pilot residential schools for two years, it was found that a workable format consisted in a two-week residential experience in the first semester, linked to two key freshman courses, Fundamentals of Technology Management, and Engineering Physics. On-campus and online students’ academic grades were compared for both courses over the years 2005 to 2012. We found that for physics lab, on-campus students’ grades tended to be higher than those for online students, and vice versa for technology management. We also conclude that when carefully designed, residential schools for online students do enhance learning for both online students and their on-campus counterparts.

Technology and management systems for digital rights and content: the editors friend

Since the late 1980s, when authors began to deliver typescripts to their publishers on disk, the process of editing and publishing books has been in an almost constant state of change. Not only has digital technology enabled a conflation of book production processes, but books themselves are increasingly available in a wider choice of delivery modes. From traditional hard cover and paperback books, to digital files formatted for printing on desktop printers, to files specifically prepared for delivery via hand-held electronic book-reading devices, to text designed to be read on screen (incorporating hyperlinks that facilitate the reader's ability to navigate around the text and between texts), the consumer now has potential myriad choices for delivery of their chosen content. And the publisher, it seems, has myriad ways to deliver content and to seek and satisfy new markets. As well as opportunities, these changes have caused disruption to the traditional supply chain.

This paper focuses on changes to the role of the editor caused by the digitisation of the publishing industry.

The introduction, management and assessment of change process at Barwon Water, a technology based water authority

Covers managing change through a multifunctional change model linking a corporate strategy, longitudinal and cross organisational strategic drivers to a suite of change processes integrated synergistically to optimise customer service and business efficiency. Testing, analysis and benchmarking provide conclusions about the utility of the model and implementation strategies, change objective attainment, the strategic focus, learning outcomes and output achievement efficiency.

A stage model of intranet technology implementation and management

In the seventies, Nolan was the first to address the need for a descriptive stage theory concerning the planning, organizing, and controlling activities associated with managing the organizational computer resource. The arrival of newer technologies such as those based on the Internet calls for fresh approaches in terms of their implementation and management. Intranet technology – which is based on Internet technology – differs from other types of IT in terms of its use and implementation. We propose a four-stage model for intranet implementation and management. Each stage is portrayed by seven general characteristics. We propose that in order to ensure intranet institutionalization, three existential crises must be overcome. Firstly, if the intranet is not nurtured by a sponsor it cannot evolve beyond its experimental beginnings. Secondly, if a critical mass of both users and content cannot be reached simultaneously, the intranet will not progress. Finally, if the intranet remains uncontrolled, it will be perceived to be useless and therefore users will abandon it.

Innovation practice using pervasive mobile technology solutions to improve population health management: a pilot study of gestational diabetes patient care in Australia

Healthcare service delivery is moving forward from individual care to population health management, because of the fast growth of health records. However, to improve population health performance, it is necessary to leverage relevant data and information using new technology solutions, such as pervasive diabetes mobile technology solution of Inet International Inc., which offers the potential to facilitate patient empowerment with gestational diabetic care. Hence, this article examines the pilot study outcomes of a small clinical trial focusing on pregnant patients affected by gestational diabetes mellitus, in an Australian not for profit healthcare context. The aims include establishing proof of concept and also assessing the usability, acceptability, and functionality of this mobile solution and thereby generate hypotheses to be tested in a large-scale confirmatory clinical trial.