Use of webcam to develop dynamic teams at a distance

Central Queensland University offers its Bachelor of Engineering over three campuses, at Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone. First year only has been offered at Gladstone and Mackay for many years, but as of 2007, second year will be offered on all three campuses. The PBL philosophy requires that the students conduct significant work in teams. This has implications for the delivery of the expanded number of courses that must now be offered, based at one campus and delivered to all three. One of the main issues to be addressed for the students is communication. One solution being implemented is web based meetings using webcam technology. The faculty has investigated and selected an application “Click to Meet” ©, which allows the students to present, share and conference over the three sites. This will allow students to be part of a team that has members spread over the three campuses. This will allow the academic staff in each course (also spread over the three campuses) to be part of the communication process, as part of an academic team, part of the individual student teams, as well as part of the entire class team. They will not be limited to webcam. The person initiating the session, can invite any person to participate via telephone access or voice over internet, if the webcam is non operational, or away from their desk. While the faculty staff have been testing this process for six months, this technology will be trialled with the first year students, over all three campuses during the second half of 2006. This initiative is expected to not only make the students on all campuses feel part of the one cohort, but will also expand their team working skills, and better prepare them for the reality of team work in the global village.