Authors:
Shaheen Majid
;
Aye Aye Mon
;
Chan Myae Soe
and
Soe Min Htut
Affiliation:
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Keyword(s):
Students, Knowledge sharing, Class participation, Benefits, Barriers.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Artificial Intelligence
;
Communication, Collaboration and Information Sharing
;
Knowledge Management and Information Sharing
;
Knowledge-Based Systems
;
Social Networks and the Psychological Dimension
;
Studies, Metrics & Benchmarks
;
Symbolic Systems
Abstract:
Knowledge sharing is a key to effective learning. Students with positive attitude towards knowledge sharing are likely to take this behaviour to their workplace which could help achieve organizational knowledge management goals. The main objective of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of class participation and its benefits, barriers to their participation, and the motivational factors that may improve their knowledge sharing. A pre-tested questionnaire was used for data collection, and 188 post-graduate students from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore participated in it. A majority of the students were aware of the benefits of knowledge sharing in their learning process as it provides an opportunity to listen to and appreciate diverse viewpoints, develop social and communication skills, and learn how to organize and present their ideas. The major barriers to class participation were: low English language proficiency, cultural barriers, shyness, and lack of conf
idence. This paper also provides some suggestions for improving effectiveness of class participation, particularly in the Asian context. It also highlights the role of instructors in helping and motivating students to overcome their fear of public speaking as well as to use this avenue for refining their communication skills.
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