Beyond Videoconference: Increased Functionality to Enhance Media-Rich Interactions in Teaching and Learning

Modern technologies provide new approaches to tertiary education and will be an increasing component of the educational experience in the future. Their use poses a significant challenge to the design and delivery of teaching and learning as many teachers and students are unfamiliar with them in this context. Over the last decade there has been a very rapid expansion in the capability and usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in teaching and learning. To use them effectively there is a need to understand how different ICTs can be applied to learning and teaching. Videoconference, Access Grid and Web Conference Applications (WCAs) are now available for use in higher education. The technologies are compared with a view to recommending which ones to implement for teaching and learning.