Topic maps as a tool for facilitating collaborative work pedagogy in knowledge management systems

Abstract

The utilization of digital knowledge management systems (KMS) to improve learning is a conventional trend in modern day computer science. These systems facilitate knowledge creation, sharing, and implementation of various pedagogical approaches including collaboration tasks. In situations where traditional learning scenarios are not possible, collaborative tools and platforms are used for providing immersive learning experiences. As it is known, collaboration has become a core competency of modern education, and an indispensable tool employed in the information technology sector. There exist different forms of knowledge management systems with different architecture. This leads to one system facilitating one form of pedagogy over the other. On the one hand, collaborative pedagogical approaches in digital learning can aid knowledge sharing, question asking, with which a feedback is expected without time and space constraints. Certain mechanisms in some KMS architectures such as Topic Maps emphasizes on the findalibility of information, which in turn could promote collaborative pedagogy. This paper discusses the development of a collaborative knowledge blog with some topic map implementation. It investigates the role of digital collaborative learning in scientific knowledge acquisition. We assessed students' ease of learning and analyzed their engagement while utilizing the system. Results indicate that the students showed deeper engagement and improved in their scientific understanding over time which reinforces the importance of collaborative activities as observed in literature.