University launches new electronic resource centre

The University is taking its reputation as the leading provider of flexible education one step further with the development of a cutting edge electronic resource centre.

Going live in semester two, the progressive digital resource system, DiReCt, will not only revolutionise the way USQ delivers study materials but how students access information.

Executive Director of the Division of Academic Information Services, Professor Alan Smith, spoke at the launch of DiReCt on Tuesday 15 July saying while other universities have introduced similar resource systems, none were on the scale of that being developed at USQ.

'DiReCt is a joint project between staff in the Library and the Distance and e-Learning Centre which is quite complex.

'It allows the University to provide study materials more efficiently as it avoids unnecessary duplication of the same information in different courses and will reduce copyright expenditure,' he said.

'It will also allow students to access study material more easily and from a single central source.'

Essentially DiReCt will allow lecturers to upload study material to a central source which can be accessed by students anywhere via the web.

The project will help the University reduce the printing and distribution costs associated with producing and sending hardcopy materials.

Once loaded to CD's information will also be uploaded the system allowing students to access all their material in once location.

Lecturer in History, Dr Catherine Dewhirst, praised the new system saying her students were already in favour of the concept.

'At the end of last semester I asked the students verbally what they thought of the resource centre concept.

'A number of students said DiReCt was such an improvement on WebCT.'

Professor Smith said the new system had great potential, and he looked forward to seeing it develop further.

'DiReCt is an important step in making available information resources to all USQ students regardless of location. It complements the other resource systems used by the Library and reinforces our strong commitment to students and the concept of resource-based learning.'

Media Contact: Connie-Louise Rego USQ Media +61 7 4631 2977