Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

5-2011

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine how to successfully blend an e-learning module into a knowledge management (KM) course aimed at getting KM students interested in the respective subject matter (=KM) in a web-based learning environment. Based on data obtained from 138 undergraduate business management students at a university in Singapore, practical aspects of effectively implementing an e-learning system with a focus on KM are analyzed and the importance determined of three conceptual variables in the context of successful blended learning approaches: online faculty to student interaction, social presence and personal e-learning experiences. The study shows some positive correlations between online faculty to student interaction, the degree of presence in a web-based learning environment, as well as personal e-learning experiences as potential drivers of students' desire to learn more about the subject matter KM. There has been reliance on self-reported data in both the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats study and the student survey. The causal effects of students' perceptions on actual learning need to be explored in a future study with a larger sample size. To increase students' acceptance of a web-based KM course, instructors must ensure quality interaction between them and their students, strong social presence via intrinsically rewarding group interactions and enriching, personal e-learning experiences on the basis of real-life KM problems. Games, systematic performance monitoring and graded knowledge tests are critical, too. This study highlights several good design features of an effective student interface vis-à-vis the development of an effective online learning environment from the perspective of KM student learners. Implications for e-learning designers and instructors, as well as issues for further research, are outlined.

Keywords

E-learning, Knowledge management, Virtual learning environments, Web site design

Discipline

Instructional Media Design | Organizational Behavior and Theory | Technology and Innovation

Research Areas

Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources

Publication

VINE

Volume

41

Issue

2

First Page

132

Last Page

151

ISSN

0305-5728

Identifier

10.1108/03055721111134781

Publisher

Emerald

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1108/03055721111134781

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