Posted April 2005 Teachers and students journey beyond the classroom walls through Collaborative Online Projects Education Views, Edition 8, 2005
		Two days of training for 20 teachers in November 2004 has resulted in the development of 15 innovative Collaborative Online Projects which will be available as units of work to all teachers through the Curriculum Exchange. The teachers developed projects such as Film Raps, Book Raps, Virtual Field Trips and Travel Buddies. During this time, the teachers completed one of the three online collaborative project courses. COP participants Using specially set up, secure Learning Place project rooms, the teachers and their students further developed their personal projects during Term 1, 2005. The projects are now complete – and their diversity is amazing. Students have exchanged ideas on books ranging from Artemis Fowl and Cinderella to Jeannie Baker's picture book Window through Book Raps. Travel Buddies have journeyed from a large multi-cultural school in Brisbane to a small rural town in Victoria – and one particularly adventurous one has travelled overseas, emailing back information on housing, leisure activities, school and family life and celebrations in other countries. In a school that was to amalgamate with the neighbouring high school in 2005, Year 2 students produced a Virtual Field Trip of the new College campus, which assisted the students to understand the changes and explore new opportunities.

Other Virtual Field Trips produced by teachers and students allow users to explore the diversity of life in seagrass beds and mangrove areas in an island environment; or to connect with experts on north Queensland rainforests and exchange information and ideas. A Virtual Field Trip of the Oxley Creek catchment area included real-world tasks for students: checking water quality and tracking data. Primary students also exchanged information with high school students from the catchment area.

The teachers involved are highly enthusiastic about their experience. "I find I've mastered skills I previously thought were beyond my capabilities." "… students amaze us with their 21st century skills!" "Thanks for the opportunity to participate – and bring on the next challenge!"

Students have had the opportunity, teachers said, to talk to people they'd never, usually, get the chance to meet. They've gone on virtual field trips to places they might never visit. They've learned to use online forums, chats, Comic Chats, email and online polls. They've completed teacher-designed online courses, and they've learned to operate digital cameras. Students have communicated and collaborated – and the classroom walls might not exist.

On 21 April these teachers showcased their work and the Learning Place launched its own Collaborative Online Project (COP) area. Teachers are now able to apply as a coordinator or participant in one of the four project areas of Raps, Travel Buddies, Virtual Field Trips or general online projects.