KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS DESIGN WILL TAKE ISD ONE STEP FURTHER. KSD is a new approach that addresses corporate training and performance needs by integrating aspects of Instructional Design, Performance Support Technology and Knowledge Management to meet these needs.

The Knowledge Ecosystem is the name of a cycle of events that occurs when "explicit" knowledge is acquired by novice learners and becomes "tacit" knowledge over time and learning experiences.

"Explicit" knowledge is defined by the Big Dog's ISD site as the type of knowledge which "can be expressed in words and numbers and shared in the form of data, scientific formulas, product specifications, manuals, universal principles, etc. This kind of knowledge can be readily transmitted across individuals formally and systematically."

"Tacit" knowledge, as defined by the Big Dog's ISD site, is "hight personal and hard to formalize...is deeply rooted in each individual's actions and experiences, as well as in the ideals, values and emotions they embrace."

In this cycle, the novice (or beginning) learner aquires knowledge in the form of receiving explicit knowledge from experts during the learning process. Through repetition, the phenomenon of "automaticity" occurs, in which the knowledge becomes intuitive to the learner progressing forward to reach an expert level. Eventually, the knowledge becomes tacit because can be remembered by the learner without job aids or references.

At this point, the learner becomes a subject matter expert and can then transfer knowledge out of his or her head and distribute it to learners in the form of explicit knowledge.

Knowledge Systems Design (KSD) is a new approach to designing a more complete learning and instructing experience. To accomplish this, the approach uses the tools and methodologies from the fields of Instructional Design, Performance Support Technology, and Knowledge Management.

Using ISD, a training system is created to meet the needs of corporations that wish to orient their workers/learners with new information before beginning their work. Using Performance Support, a system is created to enhance performance for workers/learners while on-the-job.

Using Knowledge Management, a system is created in order to tie in both the training and performance support aspects for knowledge capture and distribution. The KM system also offers additional benefits 

Knowledge Systems Design uses concepts and

 theories behind Instruction Systems Design, Knowledge

 Management, and Performance Support Technology

 to apply it to the needs of the corporate sphere.

KSD facilitates the Knowledge Ecosystem in several ways. As the novice learner begins acquiring new knowledge, the KSD approach calls for use of ISD for training.

As the learner progresses through the learning process, he/she will reach an intermediate level where there is a general understanding of how things work but still some aspects of information that cannot be fully recalled. During this point, the KSD approach provides Performance Support Technology to help learners perform while on-the-job (or on-site).

And once the learner has reached an expert level, KSD is used to "extract" knowledge (now in tacit form) from their minds and distribute it via Knowledge Management, Peformance Support, and training systems to novice learners. Using other communications components, KM may also enable learners and experts to interact with each other in mentorship or tutorial working environments. 

KSD provides training and performance support to

 learners acquiring knowledge. KSD also distributes

 expert knowledge to learners through knowledge management

in the forms of training and performance support.

To learn more about integrating ISD, performance support technology, and knowledge management, you may find the following resources useful:

Article: Knowledge Management and Instructional Technology

Big Dog's ISD Page

Brint.com

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Tien H. Thai