Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

iNET as an organisational Tool

Judith Smith

Department of eLearning

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Objectives for iNET as an organisational tool

• To create a virtual community that provides a central delivery point for key information

• To provide tools to facilitate staff to staff, staff to student communication and student to student communication

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

iNET - a virtual community

• enables many users to access, share & organise a high volume of data

• enables members to share not only information but experience

• enhanced communication and information flow leads to faster processes and more efficient working

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Benefits of common access to information

• avoids duplication of work• avoids duplication of mistakes• creates opportunities for new ideas• provides opportunities for development of new

materials more quickly and competitively• offers a common “silo” for retaining knowledge

when people leave organisation

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Using virtual community for peer contact

• Building databases of knowledge• Lists of contacts• Databases of skills• FAQs

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Organising Information & Knowledge

• Individual and group management• Effective document management• Administrative and version control• Project management

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Effective Learning Communities

• Governed by principles of learning• Personal and flexible• Accountable• Rich in information• Collaborative

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Barriers to knowledge-sharing

• Internal competition• Internal demarcation• Narrow focus - “In the box” thinking

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

What is the university’s key asset?

Intellectual Property of staff & students

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

“Intellectual Property is the sum of everything that everyone in the organisation knows that gives it the competitive edge; a collective brainpower, a composite of knowledge, information & experience”

Tom Stewart

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Specific organisational benefits for staff

• Building databases of knowledge• Building directory of online resources• Access to Student Records

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning

Judith Smith, Department of eLearning