New tools for a new age: An evolution or revolution in higher education?

Abstract

In this paper we describe how digital technologies can be used to enhance collaboration and student engagement in a large, multicampus undergraduate science unit. Four innovations developed and implemented over a period of eight years are described: use of electronic whiteboards, on-line discussion forums, social media and blogs. In showing the intermediate steps in the evolution of the use of digital and communication technologies, we demonstrate that to be effective, good educational principles are paramount.