Unveiling the chameleon

How can we successfully collaborate and deepen partnerships in educational design projects

Abstract

Collaborative practices are at the heart of the development process in educational programme and course design. Collaboration between partners is essential in learning design projects as it brings together diverse perspectives, expertise, and skills to create effective learning experiences. However, it also presents numerous challenges that can hinder the collaborative process. This paper draws on the experiences of an academic developer and an online learning designer over several online/blended projects carried out in a higher education setting, individually and together. As co-project leaders in the design and development cycle, the authors critically examine through a reflective lens how leadership, behavioral characteristics and digital tools support successful collaborations in their learning design projects. The paper discusses recommendations that strengthen partnerships and support collaborations.