Minimising the distance, maximising the learning

Successful selection and implementation of an online virtual whiteboard for tutorial sessions

Abstract

Emerging online technologies are increasingly being evaluated to meet the needs of the expanding group of students who wish to balance education with their career and family commitments. This paper describes the collaboration between Educational Developers at Macquarie University Learning and Teaching Centre and the Department of Biological Sciences, to research effective new technologies to facilitate an improved learning environment for Distance Ed students. We detail the process, from the needs analysis and extensive research of possible solutions, to the ensuing procedure of trialling, demonstration, implementation, training and support. The criteria and steps in testing and trialling the nine possible solutions are described, in addition to the subsequent implementation process of the final solution, Scribblar, a free Web 2.0 online interactive whiteboard.