This paper reports from a large-scale e-learning initiative where a nation wide project was launched to address the challenges raised by geographical information systems to the public administrations of Sweden.. The analysis identifies two interrelated challenges for large scale e-learning projects: Heterogeneity of participant and thesituated nature of practice. It is concluded that these challenges needs to be addressed with a techno-pedagogicaldesign approach where technological and pedagogical aspects are closely integrated with the existing and the futurework practices