Internet and academic teaching in Australia

Abstract

The Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet) was formally introduced into service in June, 1990. It has since been suggested that AARNet will transform the way academic work is conducted in Australia by facilitating the processes of collaborative effort, the dissemination of ideas, information access and information flow. These assumptions of benefit to be derived by the academic community from network use are not unlike those which have underpinned the establishment of other national networks now comprising the Internet. To date, there has been very little empirical research aimed at verifying such assumptions of benefit. This article focuses specifically on the benefits of Internet access to the academic role of teaching by analysing data collected from two samples of Australian academics. It describes how academics in Australia use the Internet to enhance their teaching.