Archive for June, 2007

New functions added to UNE’s Courses and units catalogue will provide current and prospective students with greater flexibility, online application forms and an option email course information to a friend.

The UNE Courses and Units catalogue has long been recognised as a critical first port of call for current and prospective students seeking information on courses at UNE. Since its launch it has been continually improved and updated to ensure that students have access to the latest information and new technologies. 

The latest upgrade to the courses and units catalogue sees the introduction of an archive of course information. This will allow students to access the specific course information that relates to their year of enrollment.  The improved catalogue also allows students to access the relevant application forms for courses they are interested in. A range of application forms have been made available which will streamline the application process for prospective students. 

Also launched today is an ‘email to a friend’ function allowing students to send course information to friends and family at the click of a button.  The next round of improvements to the courses and units catalogue will focus on improving search results as well as the introduction of information on course rules. 

Staff at UNE have the chance to try out a new development in video conferencing - webcam.

UNE is currently trialing a new server that may one day allow students and lecturers to connect using a simple webcam. The MOVI server, which is currently in testing, eliminates the need for additional video conferencing software.  One click will be all that is needed for staff and students to connect.

Staff are being encouraged to try out this new technology over the next week. There are a small number of webcams and headsets available from Hans Schaefer at unelink@une.edu.au or by calling 3703.  The trial will continue until 5th July.

UNEweb continues to grow with the launch of two new portals.

The international students portal provides a range of information for current and prospective international students. It includes comprehensive information on courses, fees and student services.

The portal also includes a virtual tour of the campus, teaching facilities, library, IT and sporting facilities. The international students’ portal is available at http://www.une.edu.au/for/international-students/

The Alumni portal, also a recent addition to UNEweb, provides a way for UNE graduates to stay in touch with friends and UNE. On registering, Alumni can access a range of services including UNE TV, online shopping and alumni news.  You can access the alumni portal at http://alumni.une.edu.au/

A new collaboration space will allow UNE students to work together 24/7 in a comfortable and safe environment.

The ground floor of the ITD building has been transformed with the addition of bright comfy chairs, coffee tables and vending machines. The student collaboration space aims to provide students with a comfortable environment where they can get together to share ideas or just enjoy a bit of time out.

The collaboration space is located near the IT service desk and is covered by UNE’s wireless network making it the perfect place for computer based collaboration. There are also plans to install a large computer screen which can be plugged into a laptop to allow students to work together on one computer.

The collaboration space has been made possible through funding from DEST. The space is well lit and covered by CCTV for students’ safety and security.

No more waiting for your university results to arrive in the mail, now you can have your results the second they become available thanks to ITD’s e-results project.

UNE’s e-results project is about to go into the final stages of testing with a group of students being offered the chance to receive their exam results by email or SMS.

A new look website has been created which will offer students the chance to sign up to receive their university results electronically. This includes the option to enter a phone number to receive results by SMS.

E-results developer, Damon Ferris thinks that the flexibility of e-results will make it popular with students ‘It means you can get your results wherever you happen to be which can be really important especially over the summer holidays.”

If the final trials are a success ITD plans to make e-results generally available for second semester results.

If you’re responsible for creating web pages with UNE’s new CMS and feel that you need more training, let ITD know.

Central to the upgrade of UNE web was the implementation of a content management system (CMS). The CMS provides a mechanism for standardizing and reviewing web content. The CMS also provides a range of other functions such as the ability to add a feedback form to a side.

ITD’s CMS training includes an introduction to the CMS and how it works, an overview of the advantages it offers and a working knowledge of basic commands. It takes about 2 hours and includes making some web pages.

If you are interested in CMS training you can contact Lynda Creedy (lcreedy@une.edu.au) for more information.

ITD Web Developer Damon Ferris will represent UNE at the Apple University Consortium’s 2007 Developer’s Conference.

Damon Ferris is busy packing his bags for the World Wide Developers conference which will be held in San Francisco, California. The five day conference will allow developers to experience the very latest in developments for the Mac including Mac’s new operating system, Leopard.

Damon thinks that the World Wide Developers Conference will bring significant benefits to UNE. “It’s really important that UNE have people who are well trained in Mac development so that we can continue to deliver new functions to our staff and students.” Damon is particularly interested in exploring internationalization and podcasting.

On his return Damon will present a seminar on the conference to all interested staff and students. Details of the seminar coming soon!