Knowledge Management for Learning: ICT System Affordances and the Impact of Order of Use

Abstract

Knowledge management (KM) is an important activity in corporations and organizations and is well suited as a learning activity in higher education. However, integrating such activities for learning requires alignment between required activities and information technology (IT) system affordances. Using KM-based assignments requiring individual and collaborative (group) Internet-based research, this study explores the affordances of two different ITs: one the university’s learning management system, and the other a Web 2.0 social digital curation system (Pearltrees). Results suggest that, despite already being familiar with Moodle, students found Pearltrees not complex and generally compatible with their learning activities, although their perceptions were impacted by whether they used Pearltrees for the first or second assignment. Students’ comments indicated that mature discussion capabilities and a visual interface with the ability to organize digital resources were some of the most important affordances for tools used in KM learning activities.