ERIC Number: EJ785091
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Dec
Pages: 23
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1042-1629
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Available Date: N/A
Empirical Study of Motivators and Barriers of Teacher Online Knowledge Sharing
Hew, Khe Foon; Hara, Noriko
Educational Technology Research and Development, v55 n6 p573-595 Dec 2007
The focus of this study was to understand knowledge flows among teachers by examining what types of knowledge was shared by teachers, as well as what motivates or hinders teachers to share knowledge online. We examined an electronic mailing list (listserv) supporting a community of practice of literacy teachers. Data were gathered on the teachers in the listserv through online observations. Additional data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews with 20 teachers. Findings suggest that two motives of community involvement--collectivism, and principlism appear to be the main motivators for knowledge sharers to share knowledge, while lack of knowledge and competing priority appear to be the main barriers. Practical implications for knowledge sharing and suggestions for future research are discussed. The findings of this study inform teachers, listserv moderators, teacher associations, as well as researchers of educational technology who are interested in knowledge sharing among teachers within communities of practice mediated by computer networks.
Descriptors: Electronic Mail, Educational Technology, Sharing Behavior, Information Networks, Technology Transfer, Interviews, Telephone Surveys, Observation, Literacy, Teacher Motivation, Performance Factors, Knowledge Management
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A