New course development in a distanced collaborative environment

This paper describes improvements and innovations in the process of curriculum development in a distanced collaborative environment. The work was completed in a videoconferencing environment that enabled real-time development and capture of work products. The improvements reported were based upon lessons learned developing previous courses using interactive but text-based approaches. New technology that was developed in the interim allowed new approaches to be utilized. The paper also presents example course content and objectives. The design and development of multimedia learning activities for teaching industrial and manufacturing engineering concepts within a real-world manufacturing context is explained. Rapidly evolving computer and communication technologies are utilized to create digital objects for the delivery of video images captured from the shop floor or communicated from remote facilities in real time. These same technologies enable the packaging of digital objects in multiple delivery modes to accommodate the unique needs of individual learners.