Teaching from a Distance
Over the past six years the Faculty of Health at the University of Western Sydney, Hawkes bury has implemented an innovative way of providing an Australian qualification of Bachelor Health Science (Nursing) for registered nurses from Hong Kong. The program tried to incorporate the use of electronic mail, for both students and lecturers, to keep in contact with each other throughout the course. The course is divided into two Stages. Stage I consisting of twelve months part time undertaken in the students country of origin. Stage II is undertaken one semester full time at UWS Hawkesbury. During Stage I, students undertake six subjects, three being taught by staff from the Hong Kong Baptist University (previously Hong Kong Baptist College) and three by visiting Australian lecturers and a lecturer employed on a part time basis who lives in Hong Kong. Electronic mail has been utilised in the setting up and auditing of student progress as well as support for staff teaching the units supplied to them by the UWS, Hawkesbury. Staff administrating the course have also utilised electronic mail. The benefits and difficulties for students and staff utilising electronic mail for support of students and lecturers in teaching and learning as well as administration of an innovative course provision will be discussed in this paper presentation.