Use of media-rich real-time collaboration tools for learning and teaching in Australian and New Zealand universities

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of media-rich real-time collaboration tool use for learning and teaching in Australian and New Zealand universities. These tools, which include video conferencing tools, web conferencing tools and virtual worlds, afford students and teachers the ability to synchronously represent concepts, and enable them to interact with one another to negotiate meaning and develop a sense of connectedness. A survey of 750 higher educators revealed that while desktop video conferencing and web conferencing use display an upward trend, virtual worlds are being used by substantially fewer educators, and have recently begun to experience a decline in usage. There are four major web conferencing products being used, whereas desktop video conferencing and virtual worlds are each being dominated by a single product. The 'best' uses of each technology as perceived by respondents with experience in a range of tools are examined, before the paper concludes with a discussion of implications for tertiary learning and teaching, along with an outline of the authors' future plans.