Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning for Teaching Knowledge Management Courses
Abstract: Knowledge management (KM) has been one of the core operations of most companies and organizations since the early 1990s. As a consequence, KM education is experiencing exponential growth around the globe. In recent years, development in info-communication technologies (ICTs), increase in digital content, and the escalating use of the Internet and wireless capabilities have reformed the way learning is carried out. Many academic institutions are trying to fully exploit the potential of online learning tools and offer a variety of innovative pedagogical approaches that utilize information technologies in order to make the learning process more effective, interesting, meaningful, and engaging for students. However, face-to-face communication in a traditional classroom setting has its own advantages as it provides immediate feedback and answers to students’ queries. This in turn, brings about increased student motivation, involvement, information and knowledge sharing, and development. The blend of these two approaches enhances their benefits and at the same time minimizes their limitations. This paper reviews the approaches adopted by the Division of Information Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, for teaching various modules in its Master’s of Science in Knowledge Management (KM) program. This paper also explains the various ways in which the NTU online learning system, edveNTUre, is used for collaboration and content delivery for teaching the KM program, which helped improve the level of communication, collaboration, and interaction between students and lecturers.
Shaheen Majid; Intan Azura Mokhtar: Blending Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning Approaches for Teaching Knowledge Management Courses. In: Mehdi Khosrow-Pour (Ed): Managing Worldwide Operations and Communications with Information Technology. Proceedings from the 18th Annual Information Resources Management Association (IRMA) Conference, May 19-23, 2007, Vancouver, Canada. Idea Group, 2007: 815-818.
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