New technologies, similar approaches, more multimedia
Over 10 years ago, Monica Devanas of CTAAR started using WebCt to teach her Biomedical Issues - HIV/AIDS course. She encouraged students to use a new feature in WebCt, the discussion board, which allowed them to discuss things asynchronously. When the course ended, the students kept using the discussion board. When Monica tried to shut it down, they complained. Students liked talking to each other 'on topic' especially as various current events brought some of the material in the course to life.
Here's a more recent example, reported in the Chronicle, using much more sophisticated social networking tools than a discussion board, but tools that do the same basic thing; Continuing Education and Social Networking Combine to Attract Students . The difference, though, is that social networking is becoming ubiquitous and may help keep groups of students, and alumni, 'together enough' to form learning communities with a significant life 'after class'.