Dale Holt - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Dale Holt

Work-integrated learning through industry-based placements characterizes a degree program launche... more Work-integrated learning through industry-based placements characterizes a degree program launched by an Australian University (Deakin) in 2000: the Bachelor of Business Information Technology (Hons) [BBIT]. In this program, industry mentors are the nexus between the world of the university and the world of industry. However, in setting up and running such programs, tertiary educators tend to make fundamental assumptions about the level of commitment and understanding of these industry mentors, about how they will be selected and the skills they will be able to demonstrate and impart. A shared vision of what constitutes a satisfying placement cannot be taken for granted. These tacit assumptions underpin key elements of the BBIT program, such as the preparation of students for their placements, the Handbook that is provided for industry partners and the site visits made by academics. Research was undertaken in 2003/4 to test these assumptions, and to determine whether the support infrastructure the University places around the industry placements is optimal. In-depth interviews were held with 10 experienced industry sponsors/mentors and one member of the relevant professional body. Reflecting on the rich data generated, this paper seeks to provide some insight into whether assumptions regarding industry mentors and also what constitutes a satisfying placement, are supported. This leads to a consideration of implications for tertiary educators who are directing such segments of degree programs. The paper advocates research to take us beyond assumptions, claiming that the articulation of industry perspectives is instructive for all those involved: industry sponsors/mentors, tertiary educators, students and the industry more broadly, as students are prepared more effectively for their professional roles. (Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 2006, 7(2), 1-9).

Deakin University has established and integrated a major, corporate technology infrastructure to ... more Deakin University has established and integrated a major, corporate technology infrastructure to unify and enhance its on-campus and distance education. This environment is called Deakin Online. Efforts to realize its potential for creating enduring teaching and learning benefits ...

To gain the full educational benefits of the major new investments in corporate technologies supp... more To gain the full educational benefits of the major new investments in corporate technologies supporting online teaching and learning it is argued that a strategic, systems based approach of academic professional development (APD) is required. Such an approach requires a clear view of the key areas of potential and enduring teaching and learning benefit which can be realised from online

Information literacy is developing new meanings and importance in the online age of teaching and ... more Information literacy is developing new meanings and importance in the online age of teaching and learning in higher education. Information literacy, as a highly prized graduate attribute, is related to the development of lifelong learning capacities. Its strong re- emergence in the form of digital literacy in the context of major online developments at Deakin University is considered through four

Australian Society for Computers in Tertiary Education, 2002

This paper reports on an evaluation of an innovative, online resource-based learning (RBL) approa... more This paper reports on an evaluation of an innovative, online resource-based learning (RBL) approach used in first year psychology at Deakin University. The evaluation revealed a number of critical issues that must be considered to ensure effective implementation of an RBL approach. Emphasis is give999n to educational considerations covering the use and value of a diversity of print and electronic

In recent years universities have made significant investments in corporate technology systems to... more In recent years universities have made significant investments in corporate technology systems to support various aspects of students' studies and learning. These include gateways and learning management systems, all of which work on the assumption of attracting or "pulling" students into the online environment of the university. On the other hand, students come increasingly equipped with mobile devices, most notably

Interactions, 2000

Australian universities continue staking a claim on the future of e-learning, acquiring Learning ... more Australian universities continue staking a claim on the future of e-learning, acquiring Learning Management Systems (LMS) as rapidly as universities overseas. Much is published on processes and criteria for selecting the best LMS for an organisation's needs and attempts to establish training and support mechanisms for deploying these systems. Beyond initial efforts to commission these technologies, particularly in the hands

Learning management systems (LMSs) are a ubiquitous feature of the higher education landscape.As ... more Learning management systems (LMSs) are a ubiquitous feature of the higher education landscape.As with any other technological system, change in LMSs is inevitable as advances in computer and communication technologies render older systems obsolete. In this paper we respond to the call for more research on the impacts of LMS change by documenting a relatively large scale and fined grained quantitative investigation of the changes in user perceptions (both students and academic staff) of the functions of an institutional LMS across the period of transition to a new system between 2011 and 2012. We address the question, “Did the new LMS dramatically change the student and staff experience of using the system?” To a large extent, the answer is, “No”. The median absolute difference between all 2011 and 2012 mean ratings (as a percentage of the 2011 rating) was only 0.21 % for students and 0.26 % for staff. Link: https://app.box.com/s/016cdyv8dq1pp0yhp1vw/2/2704865198/23032569884/1

In this paper we present the rationale and outcome of a University strategically funded project a... more In this paper we present the rationale and outcome of a University strategically funded project aimed at developing a broad range of cases illuminating good practices in the development and use of digital media and online technologies at Deakin University. The project is aimed at supporting the ongoing implementation of the University's suite of e-learning technologies, Deakin Studies Online (DSO).

Universities worldwide are consolidating and enhancing their commitments to various models of e-l... more Universities worldwide are consolidating and enhancing their commitments to various models of e-learning. These activities are leading to the adoption of corporate-wide e-learning systems, and accompanying changes in structures, processes and infrastructure requirements. The professed ideal is to identify narrowly defined corporate IT solutions which can deliver the full range of educational, administrative and student support features to meet the

An online student portfolio was evaluated as a means for engaging students with the concept of gr... more An online student portfolio was evaluated as a means for engaging students with the concept of graduate attributes, and for documenting student attainment of graduate attributes. Students rated the portfolio system as easy to use, and indicated that it helped them to appreciate the skills and knowledge they had developed.

Since it inception, Deakin University has been committed to the delivery of innovative, high qual... more Since it inception, Deakin University has been committed to the delivery of innovative, high quality course materials to its off campus students. Until recently these packages were predominantly print based, although augmented with audio-visual materials delivered in cassette format. ...

Academic staff play a fundamental role in the use of online learning by students. Yet, compared t... more Academic staff play a fundamental role in the use of online learning by students. Yet, compared to studies reporting student perspectives on online learning, studies investigating the perspectives of academic staff are much more limited. Perhaps the least common investigations are those that compare the perceptions of academic staff and students using the same online learning environment (OLE). Much research indicates, at least initially, academic staff most value OLE systems as a mechanism for efficient delivery of learning materials to students. Following the mainstreaming of an OLE at Deakin University in 2004, the data from a large, repeated, representative and quantitative survey were analysed to investigate comparative staff and student evaluations of an OLE, and to explore the evidence for development in the use of an OLE by academic staff. Generally, students were found to give higher importance and satisfaction ratings to elements of the OLE than staff. Students were also more likely than staff to agree that the OLE enhanced their learning. A comparison of the mean ratings recorded for staff in 2004 and 2005 showed that both importance and satisfaction ratings of elements of the OLE were almost universally higher after a year of use of the OLE.

Distance Education, 1995

... It appears that leadership committed to technological innovation as a central strand in the s... more ... It appears that leadership committed to technological innovation as a central strand in the strategic ... and the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Directors are fully committed to the implementation of computer ... The commitment to peer learning is seen as a core value which will bond ...

Distance Education, 1998

This paper uses the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Management in the 1990s Research ... more This paper uses the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Management in the 1990s Research Framework as a basis for examining the challenges of managing information technology in higher education, with particular reference to open and distance education. Each of the five ...

… of the 21st ASCILITE Conference, Perth …, 2011

... Editor(s), Atkinson, R. McBeath, C. Jonas-Dwyer, D. Phillips, R. Publisher, ASCILITE. Place o... more ... Editor(s), Atkinson, R. McBeath, C. Jonas-Dwyer, D. Phillips, R. Publisher, ASCILITE. Place of publication, Perth, WA. Start page, 1. ... The design of the unit builds on the development and use of digital media and online technologies in teaching first and second year units. ...

Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 2010

Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 2009

International Journal for Academic Development, 2011