I observe a lot of mysteries around me. Why strength of knowledge centers (mostly academic institutions) of a society changes with time, is one of them. Even for individuals, I am always curios to know how one can increase level of knowledge? Although this topic is open for me but I can present my opinion on this topic what I have learnt from life.
I found that curiosity, respect, power to observe impartially, power to make hypotheses, experimentation, coordination between novice and experts are foundation of knowledge. Knowledge get shape on above mentioned ground. Curiosity, respect, power to make hypotheses and power to observe impartially are gift of nature for human being which increases if they may be successfully transformed to knowledge otherwise these powers deteriorated with time. Experimentation and coordination between novice and experts are area where role of society plays a significant role. I am referring experimentation in sense of validation and not in rigid sense of scientific experimentation. Scientific experimentations are some sort of validation where hypothesis may be represented in terms of data and mathematical relationship. A large section of human knowledges are in subjective form. Such knowledges are based on interpretation and believe. Power of such knowledges depends upon its power to influence life horizontally and vertically (dream of one is dream but dream of many is reality). Validation of subjective knowledge through opinion of others gives an opportunity to modify it so that it may more deepened in once believe system. Thus purpose of such validation of subjective knowledge is not to leave personal subjectivity but is to strengthen personal subjectivity by suitable modification (on basis of other opinion) or knowing personal subjectivity with more clarity. Such validation leads subjective knowledge (personal or novice) towards objectivity (global or expert) step by step.
Coordination (communication) between novice and experts is the area where society plays a major role. With weak communication between novice and experts society fails to expand and modify is knowledge base for purpose of facing challenges posed on individual and society both. Generally communication between novice and expert is labeled as teaching. Mode of conventional teaching is `teacher centric’ and not the `problem solving centric’. Teacher plays role of `supplier’ and student plays role of receiver of knowledge. Mode of such communication is one way (in many universities of India). Teacher and expert user (mostly both in one) are source of knowledge creation.Due to advancement of technology, now it possible to expand knowledge base of society in three ways- (1) equal participation of students in content of knowledge creation (2) participation of non expert user (apart from teacher and student) in knowledge creation (3) asynchronous multi way communication among large number of people. Thus expert, student and user (both expert and non expert) may provide a solid ground to expand knowledge base of society. Basically all three pillars of knowledge may be identified as `learner’ . Teacher will play the role of lead learner, student will be validate proposal made by teacher and use will create the demand for knew knowledge and provide feed back for discussion among student and teacher.For creating infrastructure for knowledge base three type of management will be requires- (1) Knowledge Management System (KMS) (2) Content Management System (CMS) (3) Community Management System. KMS helps in organizing knowledge, CMS helps in creating different type of content for knowledge while community management system helps in creating communities and making communication between members of communities with due privileges. Four type of contents- Article, Blog, Forum, and Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) are very useful for sharing knowledge between trio of knowledge creation-student, user and teacher. Article are collection of thoughts which is approved by teacher, student and user i.e. almost undisputed ideas. Through Blogs one can write his personal view (may be controversial) and can get comments of readers. Forums are topic centric. People can present their ideas on topic as well as can comments on other ideas. FAQ collect answer of unrelated questions. Such questions help to find focus area. With combination of four type of contents how knowledge in particular area may be enriched can be seen at Blog. This blog is good example how random thought may enrich knowledge base.
For use of above mention content type in area of education and learning following site may be useful
Site porovides overview of blogs and also article and interview on next generation learning and teaching environment. Some of articles at site are very interesting especially article by Stephen Yurkiw for students and teacher. Blogs given at site are good example of use of blogs for elearning.
(2) Weblogs in Education
Resosorces available at sites provides examples by different type of profeeional involved in education like teacher, professors, parent etc. It also provide complete picture of future classroom.
(3) Personal Knowledge Publishing
This article provide complete understanding of blogs.
(4) Handbook of Emerging Technologies for Learning
Handbook is also available in pdf format and sketches outline of future higher education.
(5) Blogging Thoughts: Personal Publication as Online Reasearch Tool
(6) The Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Founded in 1981. It is an international, not-for-profit, educational organization with the mission of advancing Information Technology in Education and E-Learning research, development, learning, and its practical application.
(7) Why I Blog
