Computer Services at the University of Otago, Christchurch
The Computer Services department is responsible for the delivery of all IT services to the University of Otago, Christchurch campus, and serves the School's strategic imperitives:
"to be a centre of excellence for the training of health professionals and make contributions to the wider community through education and research".
Computer Services supports this mission by showing leadership in the development of new services and managing IT service changes:
- identifying the changing strategic IT needs of researchers, lecturers, and students.
- delivering effective computer services and resources.
- providing consultancy and IT solutions to satisfy research needs.
- maintaining a close rapport with several internal and external parties
- negotiating and mediating for the School with internal and external service providers to secure solutions that address the identified needs.
- researching the impact of new technology
Collaborative Parties
Internal Relationships
- The Dean
- Faculty of Medicine
- The Medical Education Group
- The Research Forum
- Student Staff Committee
External Relationships
- School of Physiotherapy,
Division of Health Sciences,
Christchurch,
University of Otago - Department of Human Nutrition,
Division of Sciences,
Christchurch,
University of Otago - Information Technology Services,
Dunedin, University of Otago - The Canterbury District Health Board
- University of Canterbury
- Industry related groups like:
TUANZ
Christchurch Mush Network Group
New Technology
Technology is ever changing, and with new technology brings an increased need for staff and students training. More importantly, technology introduces changes to the processes involved in research, teaching and learning support.
Due to globalisation, there is an increasing need for researchers to use collaboration tools and to form virtual groups. This will influence the need to:
- share secure documents, information, and resources.
- improve communication between group members and institutions.
- encrypt communication.
Demand from the Y generation for mobilised teaching influences the need for remote delivery of lectures, guest talks, seminars, and discussions. Computer Services is investigating new technology to implement remote services.
Examples:
- podcasting or webcasting.
- online teaching tools; Blackboard.
- Evidence from overseas academia has seen Instant Messaging and WIKIs replacing E-mail communication. Furthermore, podcasts/webcasts and virtual teaching rooms are replacing not only the bricks and mortar of a physical teaching space, but also rigid teaching schedule allowing time for discussions.