Flexible engineering degree programs with remote access laboratories in an Australian regional university known for its excellence in e-learning

Abstract

Flexible delivery of education is the starting point for discussion in this paper. The e-learning history of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) was used to contextualise the paper. USQOnline was mentioned next. The paper then describes the Distance and e-Learning Centre (DeC) in USQ. It then focused on the innovative delivery of USQ engineering degree programs, where the course flexibility was then highlighted together with their innovative residential schools and future remote access laboratories at USQ; an example of a remotely accessible laboratory was also mentioned. A large number of international and domestic students enrolled in USQ Bachelor of Engineering programs since their inception by external mode only. Finally, the paper discussed distance education and e-learning in USQ and Australia.