E-learning in corporate law : the value-add of online resources

The last decade has seen an amazing growth in the use of online technology in law and the development of e-learning environments generally. One aspect of this growth in the university sector has been the development, in conjunction with the major publishers, of electronic resources to support the main textbooks provided to students. This paper examines one particular set of developments around a new textbook called Australian Corporate Law (2008) and the perceived need for supporting e-learning materials to accompany the text. A specific arrangement was entered into with the publisher to provide a series of advanced features to support the textbook, which is primarily designed for business students studying Company Law at an undergraduate level. This paper explains the type of resources created, the pedagogical approach taken, and some of the student feedback received, placing these within the context of and emerging trends within the online learning environment. As 'Generation Y' attitudes towards learning become increasingly prevalent, the addition of e-learning features to traditional textbooks will be essential in order to meet student needs and expectations of learning resources.