Challenges of knowledge management and creation in communities of practice organisations of Deaf and non-Deaf members: requirements for a Web platform

Abstract

This study analysed the role of knowledge management (KM) tools used to cultivate a community of practice (CP) in its knowledge creation (KC), transfer, learning processes. The goal of such observations was to determine requirements that KM tools should address for the specific CP formed by Deaf and non-Deaf members of the CP. The CP studied is a formal knowledge organisation based on learning and the evaluation of socio-linguistic aspects pertaining to the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). Non-Deaf and members of the Deaf community cultivated such knowledge organisation through specific collaborative meetings and the use of Internet-based tools for KM. Knowledge was created to validate an intellectual artefact (a computational description model of the phonetic structure of Libras (PSL)) to be used as basis in the development of tools to aid the Deaf community in their learning, communication, informational, educational and other needs necessary for full exercise of citizenship. The Internet-based KM tools were paramount for the cultivating of the CP. Nevertheless, additional requirements for the KM tools emerged, such as: video-conferencing, video manipulation features, better management of asynchronous communication, among others.