390 Burgess & Darbyshire Added Value Benefits of Application of Internet Technologies to Subject Delivery Stephen Burgess and Paul Darbyshire Victoria University, Australia Copyright © 2002, Idea Group Publishing. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The application of Internet technologies towards distance education is widely discussed in the literature. This case applies Porter’s ‘added value’ theory relating to the use of IT to the application of Internet technologies used as a supplement to traditional classroom subject delivery. Most of the reported advantages of this type from online course and subject delivery relate to cost savings in terms of efficiency, flexibility and/or convenience for the students. The case study examines a range of subjects taught in the School of Information Systems at Victoria University, Australia. Each subject uses Internet technologies for different ‘added value’ benefits. Subject coordinators comment upon the use of the Internet technologies for both academic and administrative aspects. Students are surveyed to determine the value of Internet technologies from their perspective. Student responses indicated the applications were perceived to be at least ‘useful’, and findings supported Porter’s theory. The challenge for the faculty is to demonstrate the ‘business’ benefits to faculty staff of adopting Internet technology for teaching. The case studies have shown that the use of Internet technologies by students seems to be higher where the coordinator actively encourages it. SETTING THE STAGE The application of Internet technologies towards distance education is widely discussed in the literature, however the overwhelming majority of educators use the Internet to supplement existing modes of delivery. Importantly, the Internet is providing a number of ‘added value’ supplemental benefits for subjects and courses delivered using this new, hybrid teaching mode. This case study examines a range of subjects taught in the School of Information Systems at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. The case study involves the examination of four separate subjects (two undergraduate and two postgraduate) offered by the school. Each subject uses Internet technologies (as a supplement to traditional teaching methods) in a different way, for different ‘added value’ benefits. Subject coordinators comment upon the ‘added value’ provided to them and to the