How KM 2.0 Supports Remote Cross-Cultural Learning Communities

Abstract: This paper describes how a combination of face-to-face and distance work can be supported by a social computing environment in a remote, multicultural and multidisciplinary community. We focused on the project-based learning approach facilitated by web 2.0 solutions. Collaboration with colleagues in virtual teams is facilitated by the use of traditional and new technologies: e-mail, chat, blogs, Wikis, and VoIP. This paper attempts to answer this question: how can KM 2.0 systems assist in the educational process of an international, multidisciplinary, dispersed learning community? To address this, we have designed a project-based learning approach supported by an integrated Social Computing Environment. This experiment involves a community of 40 learners from Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan involved in the IMeBM Master’s Degree Program. The learners were physically located in both Italy and in their home countries throughout the program’s classroom, project and internship phases. This study suggests that KM 2.0 tools can facilitate remote cross-cultural education, collaboration and knowledge sharing between educational stakeholders. The use of KM 2.0 technologies increases and speeds up the acquisition of learners’ competencies and skills and allows supervisors to monitor the knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing processes, thus improving collaborative learning and groups’ communication within the Master’s extended community.