Hi Lesley:
I think your concepts of KM application to the school and classroom
Is bang on. I would like to add a few more applications to your list and
you can take it from there. I am replying out of technology mentor’s
viewpoint –so excuse me if I get a bit long winded. I will try to flesh
out your concepts a bit. Hope it helps.
With Knowledge Management in the schools comes school and
district networks. These will allow for the sharing of our best minds
and best materials. Networking, setting up sharable resources
through school based Intranets and Web based resources will give
teachers, students and administrators the tools to connect people and
knowledge. KM in our schools will invite teachers and learners to
share and make the most of their best ideas.
Examples:
Shared lesson plans and activities posted on a school’s INTRANET for all teachers and students to use.
A list of all memos and procedures posted on a school or district site for teacher access – would help with basic tasks and there would be no need to instruct each new teacher individually.
Automated call in services for parents – Student attendance is taken care of electronically – no need for administrators to use up valuable time on illness/appointment calls.
By implementing KM strategies, our schools can:
1) Increase student motivation and achievement
2) Integrate technology into teaching, learning and curriculum
3) Facilitate online collaboration and sharing of best practices among teachers within and between schools
4) Make students' online time more powerful: expand learning time
and stimulate in-depth learning
5) Focus teaching and learning efforts on curriculum and standards
KM, if it is applied in the proper context and with the proper supports, could enable teachers, students and administrators to find, create and share the information they most need in one customized location.
Example:
A teacher could build Web site to present lessons, links, resources, assignments or messages for all students. A group of teachers across a school or district could then share the lessons and make them accessible to their students (with modifications of course).
KM provides the teaching profession with the possibility of curriculum and learning enrichment by offering the means to collect, index, and deliver a broad coverage of lesson plans and activities, professional development, and other educational/administrative related tools.
It offers our profession a chance to pool our resources and form a supportive, helpful network of people dedicated to children's learning in school and in life.
Hope this helps – let me know what you think.