During the past few decades, increased use
of information and communication technologies has
led to educational innovations such as synchronous
and asynchronous online collaboration tools and
learning management systems. The range of
information and communication technologies that are
now available can support many types of collaboration
that would have been previously impossible.
Instructors can use information and communication
technologies to facilitate collaboration that might not
otherwise take place between on-campus and online
learners, and between learners in different countries
and universities. In collaborative learning
environments, a community of inquiry supports
student learning. Successful learning communities
can increase learner motivation, facilitate deep
learning, and reduce the potential isolation that online
learners often experience. This paper provides an
overview of relevant literature. The paper then outlines
collaboration assignments that postgraduate students
undertake in technical communication and
instructional design courses. Many instructors are
interested in developing their awareness of, and
expertise in, innovative online teaching practices; to
that end, this paper presents a number of teaching
cases.