These provide facilities such as database browsing and searching, document retrieval and communication with other Internet users. These are established to provide a public posting area for items of general and group interest. Lecturers are able to set up notice boards for particular courses or units or topics and post notices to them for the students to read. Boards are grouped within topic areas such as general information, special interest groups, social notes and other topics as the need arises. Students also are able to post notices and, in the Social Boards area, set up notice boards for their own social needs.
Students are able to send files to tutors.
These files may be assignments or portions of work for which feedback or assistance is required. Working groups can exchange files of work in progress. Participants can down-load files that are in the system. These may be returned assignments, an article of interest, or an update to a technical manual. The Virtual Campus project forms an integral part of the process of developing appropriate infrastructures for the provision of alternative delivery mechanisms and flexible learning packages which is the hallmark of ECU's External Studies programme.