Mid Sweden University

In our 21st century knowledge society the investment in human resources is an essential activity foralmost all companies. Technology enhanced learning has opened up for new, and more flexible formsof work-integrated learning. Virtual learning environments and online conferencing tools enable a moreindividualized course design with the idea of anytime and anywhere. However, lessons learnt is ifonline learning fails in the inception phase, drop-out rates can be high and pass rates low. The aim ofthis paper is to present and discuss the support of the inception phase of online professionaldevelopment with the idea of emphasizing the CHIM steps.The four steps in this model are:1 Creating a common virtual space,2 Handshake,3 Initial teacher support,4 Mentorship.The research strategy has been the case study approach with 10 course modules in an ongoingprofessional development initiative as case units. Data were collected in a mix of interviews, onlinediscussions and email analyses. Patterns and themes from the various data sources have, after aninitial content analysis been compared according to the case study concept of triangulation.Furthermore, results were grouped into five categories, the four CHIM steps and a fifth miscellaneouscategory.Findings indicate that all the four CHIM steps are important for a successful outcome, and if some ofthe three first steps fail, the fourth will probably fail as well. The recommendation is that universitieshave to rethink the parts of the bureaucracy that are not transmedial, and cannot be carried out onlinewithout traditional face-to-face confirmation. Finally, the CHIM steps concept only involves theinception phase of online learning support and, even if the conclusion is to emphasise the importanceof the initial steps, the important future work is to extend the support model to handle the sustainablelong-term perspective.