Seamless Integration of Knowledge Management and Professional Learning in PRiME

Abstract

In an organizational context, Knowledge Management (KM) and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) have attracted attention over the past years and are meanwhile important tasks to increase competitive advantages of an organization. In practice, however, KM and TEL fields have evolved down separate paths. In contrast to former KM and TEL theories which characterize knowledge as a thing or process, the Learning as a Network (LaaN) theory views knowledge as a personal network. LaaN provides the theoretical foundation for the seamless integration of KM and TEL into one solution for the purpose of increased individual and organizational learning. Driven by the LaaN theory, the Professional Reflective Mobile Personal Learning Environments (PRiME) project aims at the convergence of KM and TEL by following a knowledge-as-a-network approach. PRiME enables the professional learner to harness tacit knowledge and offers continuous knowledge networking at three different layers: the Personal Learning Environment (PLE), the Personal Knowledge Network (PKN) and the Network of Practice (NoP). Continuous knowledge networking results in constant evolution of knowledge leading to personal as well as organizational learning.