PEOPLE PUZZLES
JoLyn Enterprises
Knowledge
Brokers: An Evolving Future Role of Educators
Lynda
Trommelen
Presentation
made at the Ontario Hospital Association Convention in Toronto, November
22/99
“Knowledge
is the most important asset and foundation for success
in the 21st century.”
Wiig
Today's
Environment
In today's health
care environment major restructuring has created multi-site facilities
with interdisciplinary care teams who strive to create a seamless care
delivery system. This requires the growing use of technology and the development of learning organizations. There are fewer staff but the
need for education has never been greater. However, replacement costs and
just in time training are major factors in accessibility and
effectiveness. Restructuring has created a "brain drain".
Work and learning environments are becoming "virtual". As
the demand for knowledge increases, the shelf life of knowledge decreases.
The Internet has become the tool for up to date information.
There is an
opportunity now for health professionals to work together to redesign the
system. The more we learn about what we do, the more we can do. No
one can do it alone.
Back to Top
Definition of Knowledge
Management
There are many definitions
of Knowledge Management but this one is my particular favourite.
 |
Jack Gordon, Editor of
Training magazine defines Knowledge Management as
"An effort to tap the collective know how of an
entire organization or community of practice and make this know
how accessible and useful to every member of the organization."
|
Integrating
People & Technology
Technology provides the tool to allow this to happen
both within our organizations and among like minded individuals around
the world. Intranets are an important first step for improving internal
sharing and collaboration. The use of internet sites allows teams
to bridge time and distance to work together in cyberspace.
Knowledge networks are forming to share best practices, collaborate and
innovate.
Back
to top
Who Are the Knowledge
Brokers?
However this requires the work of many people. It cannot
be done by one group or one person. Various stages are involved:
-
Data creation, which takes many formats and involves
many people
-
Organizing the data into databases, a function that
Information Technology excels at
-
Disseminating and sharing information, best
practices, a function that librarians have provided for years.
-
Integrating and applying knowledge and collaborating
to create new knowledge involves the facilitation of learning, an
area where educators have expertise
Click to view the
Knowledge
Innovation Model and Leadership
Skills.
Back
to top
Cultural
Shift / New Paradigm
If any of the phases are incomplete, progress will
likely stop at that stage. Knowledge innovation is about more than
technology - it's about connecting people and ideas and creating new
knowledge. This involves a significant cultural shift.
| OLD
PARADIGM |
NEW
PARADIGM |
| Knowledge is power |
Shared knowledge is power |
| Limited or restricted access to information |
Broad sharing of information |
| Ideas are driven from the top of the
organization |
Everyone has a "voice" and
participation is encouraged |
| Silos of information are supported by the
organizational structure |
Knowledge crosses barriers and blurs the lines
of structure |
Organizations attempting this change need to support it through their
policies eg: recruitment, strategic priorities, management style,
learning environment & support, appraisal and promotion practices.
Back
to top
Where to Begin?
- •Organizational
commitment
-
•Identify
existing resources/expertise
-
•Set
up the development process
-
•Expertise
in technology, organizational development/learning
-
•Create
an environment that supports learning & innovation
-
•Share
your learning with your colleagues
When people work with
their minds, they transform the system.
Back
to top
Home
| Services
| Who
We Are | Contact
Information |
Resources
| Related
Links
Copyright JoLyn
Enterprises 1999
lynda@kingston.net
