The web of collaboration: teamwork behind the scenes of the online learning experience

Abstract

The emergence and expansion of e-learning as an independent study mode places new demands on universities and requires staff to collaborate with various departments to design and deliver educationally robust solutions to online learning.The Graduate School of Business (GSB) at Curtin University has been delivering an online MBA program since 2001, using a sound pedagogical approach with a focus on creating a collaborative online learning environment. At the same time, the digital copyright act resulted in an increased emphasis on Curtin's e-reserve digital repository and a growth in content.This paper examines the collaboration between GSB and the university library in designing and delivering the online MBA program. The integral use of the e-reserve digital repository in content design has resulted in a wealth of materials available contextually to online students and ensures these students aren't disadvantaged by their location or lack of traditional library facilities. The paper concludes with the outcomes of this initiative, and how it has led to current and planned collaborative developments between GSB and other university departments.