Using Web 2.0 Tools at Uni, work and play Project.

Information for Academic Participants

We would like to know about your experience of using Web2.0 (also known as 'social media' and 'social networking') tools as part of your teaching at this university. Your feedback, initially via an online survey and, should you so choose to take part, participation in a focus group session, will help us to improve the way Web2.0 tools might be used in teaching and learning.

The survey consists of a series of mostly multiple choice questions and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

The survey can be accessed via:
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/tellUS2/SurveyForm.asp?ID=7490

The focus group session, lasting no more than 60 minutes, will comprise a demonstration of one or more 3D virtual learning scenarios, followed by open discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of each. Your input into how they may be enhanced to accommodate assessment will also be sought.

The focus group session aims to collect feedback about your:

• reaction and/or opinion on the use of the 3D virtual environment as a learning tool
• opinions on the faults of the demonstrated one of more scenarios
• thoughts on how the demonstrated learning environment could be improved
• perception of the educational effectiveness of using 3D virtual environments
• the workplace importance of future graduates possessing experience in the use of 3D virtual environments

There will be four focus group sessions, one to be held on each of University of South Australia's four metropolitan campuses. Each of the focus group sessions will comprise no more than 8 participants, all of whom will be current academic staff of UniSA.

Each focus group will be asked to respond to the following questions:

1. What are your thoughts about the general use of 3D virtual environment as a learning tool?
2. Would you please point out any faults or things you disliked about the look or 'feel' of 3D virtual environment you have just seen?
3. Do you have any suggestions on how the 3D virtual environment you have just seen can be improved?
4. How effective do you think 3D virtual learning environments could be in supporting learning?
5. How important for the workplace do you think it will be for UniSA graduates to have experience with using 3D virtual environments?

A written record of participant responses (but not the identity of the respondent) will be taken during the focus group session.

Participation in a focus group session is voluntary and while confidentiality of focus group discussions cannot be guaranteed, every attempt will be made to secure confidentiality.

Willingness to participate in one of the focus group sessions can only be expressed through the completion of an Academic Focus Group Interviews Consent Form. Forms will be distributed to those academics who respond to a call to participate as outlined in the online survey. Those academics who do respond will be formally invited to attend a focus group session, held where possible on their home campus, via their staff email.

What is the research project about?
This project aims to understand how teaching staff use Web2.0 tools.

Who is conducting the research?
Dr Dense Wood (School of Communication, International Studies and Languages) (08) 8302 4642, email denise.wood@unisa.edu.au

How would you be involved?
Via an online survey and, should you so choose to take part, participation in a focus group session. Both the survey and involvement in the focus group is voluntary. The submission of the anonymous online survey will indicate your consent. You may withdraw from the research at any time.

How will your feedback be used?
Your feedback will help us to create a framework outlining how Web2.0 tools can be used to foster collaborative learning.
Recommendations from this research project will be provided to the University's Learning and Teaching Strategy Group for further studies or for University wide adoption.

A summary of the research findings will be published in a journal article and/or in a conference proceeding. All publications will be made available online on the project's website.

How will your confidentiality be assured?
The survey is anonymous as will be the focus group discussions. However, while confidentiality of focus group discussions cannot be guaranteed, every attempt will be made to secure confidentiality. In compliance with the ethics requirements of UniSA HREC, all data collected will be held for five years in a locked cupboard in a secure office within the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages at the University of South Australia. Access will be limited to the research team. Responses will not be linked with any identifying data in the report, nor in any journal articles or conference presentations.

How can you find out more information
If you would like more information about the survey and the research project or if you have any further concerns, you may contact Dr Denise Wood on (08) 8302 4642, email denise.wood@unisa.edu.au

The University of South Australia's Human Research Ethics Committee has reviewed this study. Should you wish to discuss the project with someone not directly involved, in particular in relation to matters concerning policies, information about the conduct of the project, or your rights as a participant, please contact the UniSA Ethics Officer, Ms Vicki Allen on 8302 3118; fax 8302 3921; email: vicki.allen@unisa.edu.au.

If you would like to take part in the survey please do so via:
http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/tellUS2/SurveyForm.asp?ID=7490

We look forward to your feedback and thank you in anticipation for your help with this research project.

Dr Denise Wood
School of Communication, International Studies and Languages
Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences
University of South Australia