Organizational contextualisation of an online professional development module in teaching learning

This paper reports on the design and development of an online module to support teaching and learning at an Australian university. The module is distinctive in its approach of presenting a resource base of generic teaching and learning principles within a highly contextualized organizational framework and is grounded in Wenger's (1998) theory of communities of practice. It represents an attempt to provide professional development within a rich framework of specific organizational culture, ethos and mission. It aims to bring to life, within this organizational framework, policy documents and discussion papers on teaching and learning. One technique used to achieve this aim was the exploration of existing best-practice in teaching and learning at the university through a case-based approach focusing on University Excellence in Teaching and Learning awardees. The module exploits video and hypertext media and is delivered in online format for maximum flexibility and accessibility.