The technology is reasonably affordable, flexible and is likely to be adopted widely in the next few years. To gain some insight into the issues involved in using this technology in an educational environment that relies heavily on video, a simple, low cost, video on demand system was installed in the Visual Arts Library at Monash University, Clayton. Qualitative trials involving staff and students from the film and television studies section of the Visual Arts Department were then carried out. To identity the barriers to the successful deployment of this technology in a teaching and research environment. The study of film and television within the Department of Visual Arts is undertaken from first to third year at undergraduate level and also at Graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD levels.
Courses are predominantly critical, historical and theoretical.
Methodologies derived from semiotics, psychoanalysis, structuralism, poststructuralism, feminism and cultural studies may be used to analyse a range of issues such as the evolution of film form, film as a vehicle of ideology, and the construction of sexual difference through film. These courses consistently attract high student numbers. Analog videotape is used heavily as a teaching resource - for full length screenings as well as lectures and seminars. Students also use videos as a resource for assignments and independent study. The system was installed in the Visual Arts Library under the supervision of the Librarian.