Bond University today launched a new multimedia learning space, The Global Links Room, which will provide its students and staff with international connectivity and the ability to study, discuss and debate issues with other students and academics across the world in real-time, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Located in The Balnaves Foundation Multimedia Learning Centre, the Global Links Room has been specifically designed to support Bond’s blended learning model and the university’s commitment to being globally connected.
The focal point of the Global Links Room is its leading edge, dual screen web and video conferencing facilities (C40 Tandberg video conferencing codec) that will enable Bond staff and students to learn, collaborate and share with students, academics and corporate businesses worldwide, in class and at any other time they desire.
Bond University’s Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford said the facility would provide a much richer, more immersive global environment than was previously available and enable multiple new partnerships with other international universities to flourish.
“The Global Links Room will enable lecturers to expand a class of twenty into a virtual forum of hundreds by linking up with other classes or tutorials at universities around the world,” Professor Brailsford said.
“This facility enables face-to-face learning on a global scale. Our students don’t need to be in the same room, country or timezone to be in the same classroom as students from the other side of the globe.
“With the information superhighway now three decades old, the world of education has become a global hub for making connections, forming partnerships, working collaboratively and expanding learning networks.
“Today’s modern student- a digital native, global internet citizen and forward looking multi-tasker all in one - requires enabling learning places and technology to help them not only match but lead the crowd.
“Our students also require innovative and leading edge instruction empowered with modern curriculum,teaching philosophies and methods relevant for today and years to come.
“When you add to this equation a place which enables progressive and forward-looking education driven by state-of-the-art technology - some amazing results can be achieved.”
One such global partnership that has been enabled by the creation of the Global Links Room is a partnership with the University of Southern California’s internationally renowned Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism (www.annenberg.usc.edu).
The partnership will see students from Bond and Southern California come together to discuss global media trends and issues and learn from each other, through a series of planned collaborative tutorials and research seminars. It is the first time the University of Southern California has partnered with an Australian University.
The Global Links Room has been made possible through the generous support of Dr Neil Balnaves and The Balnaves Foundation.
Professor Brailsford said the Global Links Room is a place where students can experience the best of a blended learning approach to teaching, the ability to cultivate global links and connections, and the chance to expand and develop their academic and professional networks.
“It will enable not only fast and crystal clear connections, but also facilitate the use of cutting-edge educational software and e-learning tools of today and the future,” Professor Brailsford said.
“Given the importance of Bond’s student experience and our commitment to educational excellence, the Global Links Room is an innovative technology-enabled learning space of which Bond is both grateful and proud,” Professor Brailsford.
“It will enable webinars and training sessions for professors and lecturers which allow them to master new skills and techniques.
“Whether it be using Bond’s iLearn learning management system, a program such as online virtual learning or a software application yet to be developed, the Global Links Room will act as a blended learning hub and hotspot of the whole university.
“We are extremely grateful to The Balnaves Foundation for its continuing support of Bond University.”
Dr Neil Balnaves of The Balnaves Foundation said they were thrilled with what the latest addition to The Balnaves Foundation Multimedia Learning Centre will mean for Bond students and academics.
“Classes could be enriched by the conducting of interviews and discussions with chief justices, surgeons, CEOs of multinational companies, and industry leaders from around the world,” Mr Balnaves said.
“By adding new dynamic and international perspectives, the Global Links Room will help forge new social and learning networks, connections in business and education-ties which will enable and define the leaders and experts of the future,” he said.