Abstract:

In our 21st century knowledge society the investment in human resources is an essential activity for almost all companies. Technology enhanced learning has opened up for new, and more flexible forms of work-integrated learning. Virtual learning environments and online conferencing tools enable a more individualized course design with the idea of anytime and anywhere. However, lessons learnt is if online learning fails in the inception phase, drop-out rates can be high and pass rates low. The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the support of the inception phase of online professional development with the idea of emphasizing the CHIM steps.

The four steps in this model are:
1) Creating a common virtual space,
2) Handshake,
3) Initial teacher support,
4) Mentorship.

The research strategy has been the case study approach with 10 course modules in an ongoing professional development initiative as case units. Data were collected in a mix of interviews, online discussions and email analyses. Patterns and themes from the various data sources have, after an initial content analysis been compared according to the case study concept of triangulation. Furthermore, results were grouped into five categories, the four CHIM steps and a fifth miscellaneous category.

Findings indicate that all the four CHIM steps are important for a successful outcome, and if some of the three first steps fail, the fourth will probably fail as well. The recommendation is that universities have to rethink the parts of the bureaucracy that are not transmedial, and cannot be carried out online without traditional face-to-face confirmation. Finally, the CHIM steps concept only involves the inception phase of online learning support and, even if the conclusion is to emphasise the importance of the initial steps, the important future work is to extend the support model to handle the sustainable long-term perspective.

Keywords:

Professional development, Work-integrated learning, Technology enhanced learning, Online support, The CHIM steps.