E-Learning and Knowledge Management:Siamese Twins Who Never Met?

Abstract

Beyond data storage and information retrieval: How to fit e-learning approaches into knowledge management structures E-learning systems have frequently been treated as something different than knowledge management systems. Organizations tend to see both developments as separate issues with different responsibilities and tasks. Knowledge management is typically started in initiatives high up in the organization, often directly below the executive level while the responsibility for e-learning lies within the training department. The paper attempts to examine the links and similarities between e-learning systems and knowledge management systems. Coming from an information systems background many known structures reappear when looking closer at e-learning systems. Three different e-learning approaches can be identified, the instructionoriented, the communication-oriented and the information-oriented approach. The latter two approaches share many similarities with the two approaches to knowledge-management, the people-to-people and the people-to-document-approach. The underlying e-learning systems are actually knowledge management systems. The differentiation between an e-learning- and a knowledge management-system can primarily be explained by different goals and the consideration of didactic aspects by e-learning systems. Since the systems are almost identical, companies could save resources and increase use and acceptance by joining the two initiatives.