Online Collaborative Learning for Labor Education

Abstract

More labor organizations might adopt online collaborative learning (OCL) if it could be shown to foster solidarity, promote learning, and be linked to union activities. An online course involving thirty-three union staff members based in twenty-four countries was studied using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings include the following: OCL can be successfully employed for the education of union staff; the collaborative creation of a knowledge artifact that has a public life outside the course provides a crucial link to union activities; OCL can build a strong sense of community among participants; and a credential is a significant motivator.