Educational partnerships on-line: Global collaborative learning through an on-line student exchange programme

Deakin University and the University of Calgary have used the intemet to provide workplace-based learners with the possibility of a student exchange programme which does not disrupt their careers, lives or families. The programmes involved in this on-line exchange were both developed in response to the needs of workplace learners and are representative of the role of universities in the field of life-long teaming. This paper describes the first phase of the exchange and discusses the shared pedagogical philosophies and shared implementation of on-line groupware which provided a rationale for the exchange. The paper will explore the cross-cultural implications of the educational experience and the possibilities such an exchange opens up for life-long learners.