Background: Collaborative online learning is a training approach that incorporates the principles of didactic online learning from web based tutorials and traditional interactive workshops. A prototype online course COREL (Collaborative Online Revman learning), was developed to implement Cochrane Systematic review training, over a period of 3 years. It involved: A team of 3 or more peers with a shared registered Title -one of whom is the facilitator, Cochrane Information Management System (IMS) which includes Revman and Archie forms the workspace in which collaboration is accomplished, Cochrane Systematic Review or the protocol which is the interactive, facilitated process for the learning experience and Video/Audio conferencing which supports synchronous collaboration activities. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of COREL training program. Methods: Data from records of synchronous collaborations, IMS and Revman database history of the Cochrane systematic reviews included in the COREL program and an author- post workshop evaluation survey adopted from the regular training workshops were analyzed. Results: 28 titles included in COREL-11 full reviews, 10 published protocols, 6 ongoing protocols, and 1 registered title. There were 3 to 7 authors in each program, including 1 to 2 facilitators; total number of authors and facilitators in the program 30 and 6 with author proficiency level 1,2 and more than 2 reviews- 11,10 and 9 after training in the program. Number of synchronous encounters in the individual program ranged 2 to 5 and number of asynchronous encounters (authors- IMS access frequency) ranged 31 to 98, average time to publication for protocol is 6 months, for review 15 months. Author rating of usefulness and satisfaction with content, presentation, online learning, discussions, time and organization convenience, and perceived advantage over the conventional training method were overall positive. Conclusion: The training for systematic review authoring provided via the COREL program is effective in terms of author proficiency, satisfaction, and review productivity.