COLLABORATIVE LEARNING AND ORGANIZATION CONCEPT OF VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY EDUCATION Miroljub Kljajić University of Maribor Faculty of Organizational Sciences Kidričeva c. 55, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia Vardan Mkrttchian All Armenian Internet University P.O.Box 965, Lane Cove, NSW, 2066, Australia Andrej Škraba University of Maribor Faculty of Organizational Sciences Kidričeva c. 55, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia ABSTRACT The top-down implementation of information and communication technology does not guarantee necessary organizational change in e-learning and virtual enterprises. The delivery of online instructional courses in higher education institutions is flourishing, as students and educators in general recognize the advantages of the new technology. Problems and concerns regarding online education are touched on in various articles and papers but limited research has been conducted to examine in depth the technical and social problems that accompany this new technology. This study examines these problems and concerns regarding online distance education and virtual enterprises in online universities; The All Armenian Internet University is used as an example. Hopefully, the information that is provided here will update decision-makers of the current needs and concerns of online students and instructors so that an effective distance-learning program can be fostered. The paper discusses and introduces organizational learning processes in individual enterprises and networks in order to prepare for virtual enterprises and to establish a continuing improvement of work and learning processes to stabilize networks as the basis for the enterprises of the the All Armenian Internet University. The first steps, when using the developed learning loops with the management and the workforce of a virtual enterprise to prepare for networking, are presented. KEYWORDS Student-Centered Learning, E-learning, Virtual University 1. INTRODUCTION Because of the rapid development in recent years, the Internet and World Wide Web are becoming a popular approach for information delivery. As an ascendant technology, it has the potential to strengthen and enhance learning and teaching in higher education. Many universities and colleges are now placing an emphasis on web-based distance education as they seek innovative ways to provide flexible course offerings . In fact, the use of the Internet to create online learning opportunities for students at a distance has become extremely popular in higher educational institutions. The advantages and benefits of the use of this technology for distance education are obvious and many. In fact, application of the Internet as an instruction medium to reach the student at large is not an easy and simple task. There are concerns, barriers, and problems for both students and professors. In the organization and management of enterprises in the All Armenian Internet University (AAIU), new models and theories have been developed (Mkrttchian, and Petrosyan, 2004, Mkrttchian and Yolchyan, 2004) that deviate ISBN: 972-98947-7-9 © 2004 IADIS 396