CAMEL Communities of Practice: Tacit knowledge - reflections We know more than we can tell (Polanyi, 1962) If we want to find out whether what we know and do is effective, or indeed if we want to test knowledge, then we need a way to draw upon the tacit as well as explicit nature of that knowledge. Research…. should draw upon the wealth of professional knowledge that resides within the people who work in the sector. Hillier and Jameson (2003) Empowering Researchers in FE. Stoke on Trent: Trentham.

We know more than we can tell: tacit/explicit knowledge of e-learning policy/practice explicit knowledge and policies tacit knowledge of real situation re. staff, students, culture and use of resources in organisations

CoP R&D to improve e-learning management of change process Tacit knowledge creation process linked to CoP R&D: jointly investigate and externalise tacit knowledge to create new explicit knowledge Explicit CoP process

CoP research & development as an intervention process to improve professional practice: Jameson, J., and Hillier, Y. (2003) Researching Post Compulsory Education. London: Continuum. Hillier, Y and Jameson, J (2003) Empowering Researchers in FE. Stoke on Trent: Trentham. existing practice CoP R&D – analysis – reflection recommendations dissemination impact improvements in practice

Question: Is an effective e-learning environment related to organisational culture?

Organisation C – Reflexive/ keen to do e-learning R&D well Reflexive processes of external practitioners in effective R&D eL environments research - analysis – reflection recommendations dissemination impact procedural knowledge: explicit tacit knowledge procedural knowledge: explicit tacit knowledge Organisation B – Cautious/ in retreat from inquiry Organisation A – Repressive/in denial/coercive procedural knowledge tacit knowledge ‘petticoat’ of problems showing!

Characteristics of organisation C ‘knows itself’ more fully than A and B recognises own strengths and weaknesses and is willing to change carries out self-assessment proactively participates: CoP & external peer-review fosters a collaborative e-L R&D culture is not anxious about leakages of tacit knowledge, encourages critique/change procedural knowledge: explicit tacit knowledge Answer: Effective e-learning environments may relate to organisational cultures encouraging R&D, openness & accountability Organisation C - Reflexive

1 Knowledge overt to all - OPEN 3 Knowledge hidden to externals but overt to internal people HIDDEN e-Learning CAMEL Johari Windows: 2 Knowledge overt to externals but hidden from internal people BLIND 4 Knowledge almost entirely hidden from all UNKNOWN

2 BLIND Knowledge overt to externals but hidden from internal people CAMEL e-learning Johari Windows: 1 Knowledge overt to all - OPEN 3 Knowledge hidden to externals but overt to internal people HIDDEN 5 More knowledge made available 6 More knowledge made available 4 Knowledge almost entirely hidden from all UNKNOWN

Question: In a trusting CoP environment, how far is it useful to put cards on the table to improve e-learning practices linked to management of change? How can we ensure this process is beneficial and not too painful?