Online Learning Community of Practice supports

Professional Development

——Exploration into a Sino-Germany Online Training Program for

Professionals against HIV/AIDS in Western China

LIU Bangxiang

(School of Continuing Education and Teacher Training, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract:Over two millions learners have been enrolled in China in e-learning programs. There is much public debate on whether such programs are capable of improving professional development for learners. This paper explores how an online training course has been developed and how a pilot course with 60 participants in Guizhou Province and Sicuan Province in western China has been conducted in accordance with underlying principles for communities of pracitice.  The paper analyzes the learning process from three perspectives: learning competence, problem-based learning, and members' relations. The explorative analysis finds that close linkage to professional practice and effective interaction with tutors are among the most conducive factors for quality of e-learning programs.

Key words: community of practice; e-learning quality; professional development; problem-based learning; Sino-Germany cooperation

【CLC numbers】G434

【Document code】A

【Article ID】1007-2179(2009)06-0048-04

The Author: Liu Bangxiang, School of Continuing Education and Teacher Training, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China (liuleo_6@hotmail.com).

 “实践共同体”在线学习促进专业化发展

——中德合作在中国西部开展HIV/AIDS医护人员