Instigating Interaction in Electronic Case- Based-learning (e-cbl)

The rapid growth of online learning in educational institutions of all sorts is leading to a search for effective methods of teaching in an online environment. Existing techniques, while adequate for most purposes, have some real limitations – one of which is the provision of effective learning, while ensuring effective interaction among groups of people who may never see either the instructor or one another. In this paper we discuss the use of electronic case-based learning (e-CBL) as a means of providing an effective learning context, focusing particularly on the ways in which interaction can be optimised. The paper presents a review of the literature on collaborative and case-based learning and then discusses the results of a trial of e-CBL within an online course in an Australian university, drawing conclusions about how to create the best possible learning environment in such a context.