Week 11

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What is the role of knowledge creation and sharing in a healthy educational organization?

​I believe educational organization should foster a culture of knowledge sharing.  Education organizations have similar moral purposes.   The ultimate goal is greater than any one individual whether it be a student, teacher or administrator.  Education or rather knowledge is meant to be shared.

David Skyrme, in his article, “The 3 C’s of Knowledge Sharing: Culture, Co-opetion, and Commitment” (2002) lists some of the common reasons that prevent sharing: the perception that knowledge is power, pride and not wanting to seek advice from others, not wanting to discover new ways for themselves, not realizing how useful particular knowledge is to others, lack of trust and lack of time.  Educational organizations should excel at knowledge sharing but that’s not always the case.  By changing the culture around knowledge some of these barriers can be overcome.

One of the best ways to encourage a culture of knowledge creation and sharing is by involving everyone.  When all members feels like their knowledge is respected, and valued a positive culture can thrive.  Creating communities in education that foster this are rooted in trust and respect not only in the members but also in the leadership.  Team-building challenges and working towards united goals can also help.

Another way to encourage sharing is through the use of role models. It is important to celebrate each other’s strengths.  We can all bring something to the table.  Sometimes we do a good job doing this in small circles of collaboration but it is also important to involve others outside our close circles. 

Education organizations are founded on the creation and sharing of knowledge yet we often lack the time and commitment to apply the same process to our professional learning growth.  What we require of our students is suddenly not practical with ourselves.  The creation of knowledge is important but equally so, what you do with that knowledge.  Education organization should be looking at knowledge management like businesses.  We should be collaborating, sparking innovations, and promoting ever-higher performances. 

I crave knowledge.  I love learning.  I hope there never comes a day were I stop seeking new knowledge.  My weak area is time.  There just so much to learn and so little time.  I am very thankful to social media that allows me to connect and gather tidbits of information. 


 
Resources:

Fullan, Michael. Leading in a Culture of Change. Somerset, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2014. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 6 November 2015.

Petrides, Lisa, and Thad Nodine. "ERIC - Knowledge Management in Education: Defining the Landscape., 2003-Mar." ERIC - Knowledge Management in Education: Defining the Landscape., 2003-Mar. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2015. <http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED477349>.

Rismark, Marit. "From Knowledge Sharing to Knowledge Creation: A Blended Knowledge-management Model for Improving University Students’ Creativity." From Knowledge Sharing to Knowledge Creation: A Blended Knowledge-management Model for Improving University Students' Creativity. ResearchGate, 19 Jan. 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871187112000430>.

Skyrme, David. "The 3Cs of Knowledge Sharing: Culture, Co-opetition and Commitment." The 3Cs of Knowledge Sharing. N.p., Aug. 2002. Web. 12 Nov. 2015. <http://www.skyrme.com/updates/u64_f1.htm>.

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