Exploring the learning effect of a web-based learning community on EMBA students

In this paper, we develop a Web-based learning community to assist learners' on-line learning. The subjects of this research are 138 EMBA from a university in Taiwan who have taken a Management course. Most of them worked in Hi-tech companies. The Management course was taught by four co-teachers. The study was carried out from Sep. 2005 to Jan. 2006 - a period of 16 weeks. We explore the learning effect for EMBA students from Web-based learning community. Our important findings are: (1) EMBA students use the Web-based learning platform to obtain more knowledge about management and help to develop good social relationships with their peers. (2) By using the system, busy students can extend the study at home. In addition, the system improves interaction among students. (3) All most students use the discussion room a great deal, while others use it infrequently. (4) EMBA students are active in discussion with case study, which they provide are very interesting for professors and other students to know how other enterprises operate and what obstacles they encounter. (5) The level that different teachers integrate information technology into teaching differs greatly. Finally, we also propose some suggestions for two aspects of web-based learning community.