ERIC Number: EJ1183218
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Jul
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-8756-3894
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Kopano Virtual Forum: Using Cultural Norms to Develop Online Communities of Practice Environments
Boer, Perien Joniell; Asino, Tutaleni I.
TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, v62 n4 p364-374 Jul 2018
The development of technological solutions often consists of a small group of experts selecting the type of technology and how it is to be used, regardless of the culture of the user. This practice excludes practitioners from the decision-making process, and can lead to frustrations and an unsustainable community of practice. This paper addresses the problem of selecting and developing appropriate technologies to advance best practices through communities of practice for teachers in the lower grades in Namibia. Considering cultural norms and practices common to Namibians and applying it to a technological solution of a virtual forum, reduces the feeling of technology inadequacy and the desire to be part of a "meeting of the elders." Consultative meetings with teachers in our sample group resulted in data on the technology use of lower primary school teachers. Results indicate that, even with an appropriate choice of a technological solution, coordination or leadership is essential for success. The cultural notion investigated in this paper is related to, and may be dependent upon, the headman/chief model of providing active leadership by continually pulling the "meetings" together, consistent with the cultural norms of participants.
Descriptors: Communities of Practice, Cultural Influences, Appropriate Technology, Best Practices, Organizational Culture, Organizational Climate, Leadership Styles, Leadership Effectiveness, Faculty Development, Teacher Education Programs, Technology Uses in Education, Technology Integration, Social Networks, Electronic Learning, Elementary School Teachers, Foreign Countries
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Tests/Questionnaires; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Namibia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A