Knowledge Sharing Systems

For Amber and Kody who do not know me, I am an artist and art teacher. I am currently getting my master's in art education at BYU. Therefore, I have interests in both visual arts and education.

So, I read a somewhat dry engineering article about computer technology, but despite the translation barrier, I was able to glean an understanding of knowledge sharing systems versus expert (consulting) systems as it applies to teaching.

These figures explain the difference between these two types of systems. An expert or consulting system seems to be like a hierarchical transference of knowledge from knowledge base to user. Whereas, a knowledge sharing system is more reciprocal between the base and users. According to the author, the "knowledge users are the same set of system users who use the knowledge base...the primary purpose of knowledge sharing system is for users to share and use knowledge that they have provided. In other words, system  users share knowledge among themselves through knowledge bases" (Niwa, 1990, pp. 279-280).

 If I were to apply these system models to my classroom, I would try to facilitate a knowledge sharing system where the knowledge base is my classroom. I think it's very easy to continue the tradition of a top-down educational environment, but how beautiful to think that my students could have just as valuable knowledge to share as I do. With this classroom system, together we could share knowledge in transformative ways.