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Computer mediated communication (CMC) is used to foster a collaborative learning environment in a number of courses within the Faculty of Business and Law at Deakin University. This paper examines how this technology has been implemented at the undergraduate level in the School of Economics and some key issues arising from this experience are identified and discussed. Although the practical experience described has been gained from a particular discipline based initiative, the issues raised pertain to all disciplines. The potential provided by integrating technology into the curriculum is exciting, however this paper highlights some of the areas that need consideration when implementing an asynchronous learning network (ALN). No definitive guidelines have been provided, rather the way to maximise educational outcomes will only be found as experience and practical use is extended and shared within the academic community.
Graham et al. (Tue,) studied this question.