Others will be in clusters, especially where they provide access to virtual laboratories in science, virtual field work in geology or geography, or for creative applications in art and design departments. Computers providing access to specialised peripherals such as scanners, multimedia systems and high performance, large format or other specialised printing devices. Support Providing support for centrally owned computer resources that can be accessed at any time of the day, both on and off campus, is one of the biggest challenges facing Information Services at the present time . The professional associations supporting these services are potential sources of information on good practice and experience in the community. The use of IT is identified by Dearing as a key skill and all courses should identify where this is being acquired and how it is assessed .
Students enter institutions with a wide spread of computer skills.
Training will be needed to bring them to a level of skill appropriate to the requirements of their particular course. The uptake of online services and resources, and the use of computers in teaching does vary. Unless there is good and effective use of computers, students may feel that they have been badly advised to buy a machine. Staff Academic and other staff must be as competent in the use of computers and as well equipped as their students . They need support and training in their acceptance and use of appropriate electronic resources and services and in making teaching support materials available to students.