A EXPLORING A TOPIC
I Expressing an opinion (B1/B2/C1)
1. Summarize the notion of Knowledge Management using the following information:
What Is Knowledge Management?
Knowledge Management is one of the hottest topics today in both the industry world and information research world. In our daily life, we deal with huge amount of data and information. Data and information is not knowledge until we know how to dig the value out of it. This is the reason we need knowledge management. Unfortunately, there's no universal definition of knowledge management, just as there's no agreement as to what constitutes knowledge in the first place. We chose the following definition for knowledge management for its simplicity and broad context.
Simple Definition:
Knowledge Management (KM) refers to a multi-disciplined approach to achieving organizational objectives by making the best use of knowledge. KM focuses on processes such as acquiring, creating and sharing knowledge and the cultural and technical foundations that support them.
Knowledge Management may be viewed in terms of:
People – how do you increase the ability of an individual in the organisation to influence others with their knowledge
Processes – Its approach varies from organization to organization. There is no limit on the number of processes.
Technology – It needs to be chosen only after all the requirements of a knowledge management initiative have been established.
Culture –The biggest enabler of successful knowledge-driven organizations is the establishment of a knowledge-focused culture.
Structure – the business processes and organisational structures that facilitate knowledge sharing.
Technology – a crucial enabler rather than the solution.
(From Introduction to Knowledge Management)
2. What issues may be included into the notion of Knowledge Management at the University?
II Related information (B1/B2/C1)
- Define the meaning of the following terms: lecture, tutorial, involvement, engagement.
- Read the pieces of advice for students of University of Canberra Participating in Tutorials. Can we call the effective communicative behaviour in academic encounters Knowledge Management?
- What are the differences between lectures and tutorials?
- Explain the rules of being prepared, engaged, and involved.
- What is meaningful participation in discussion?
Participating in Tutorials
In most subjects at the University of Canberra, you are required to attend tutorials (tutes for short). Tutorials are not like lectures and are therefore generally not about receiving information and taking notes. Instead, they are for thinking and talking about the unit content. Usually there will be about 20-30 students in your tutorial group, and everyone is expected to participate actively in the activities or discussions in each session.
Often a percentage of your final grade depends on your tutorial participation, so it’s important to understand what tutorials are about and what your tutors will be looking for when they consider your participation mark.
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What are tutorials for?
Tutorials give you an opportunity to:
- ask questions
- practise analytical thinking
- practise problem solving
- gain a fuller understanding of the theory
- discuss how theory applies to reality
- try out ideas by talking them through with others
- learn from other students
- gain important group work skills for your professional life
Through active discussion you learn that others understand things differently from you. You gain fresh perspectives on issues and new strategies for handling problems. It can be really stimulating. On the other hand, it can be really boring; this usually depends on you and the responsibility that you take for helping the group to run well by participating effectively.
What does ‘tutorial participation’ mean?
Most tutors will not force you to talk in tutorials by asking you a direct question in front of the class; usually they don’t want to embarrass you. This means that it’s really up to you to show that you are able to make a contribution. Students often think that participating well in tutorials means doing lots of talking. Actually, it’s more involved than that; in fact some students talk far too much! When tutors consider your participation in tutorials, it’s likely they will assess the degree to which you are:
Prepared – having completed (and thought critically about) the required readings / questions / activities
Engaged – showing that you’re listening and paying attention
Involved – making comments and asking questions that contribute meaningfully to the tutorial
In other words, tutors consider the quality of your participation as much as (and often more than) the quantity of your participation.