Research On The Knowledge Sharing Mechanism Of Informal Learning Community

The21century is the era of knowledge economy. Learning is regarded as permanent pursuit for improving the quality of life and realizing the value of individual by lot of people. And lifelong learning has already become a magic weapon for a country, an organization, a group, or individual to update knowledge and enhance innovation. The informal learning is part of lifelong learning. If there are not informal learning forms, the lifelong learning could not be achieved. The rising of informal learning has promoted the birth of informal learning community. The sharing of experience, emotion and knowledge (especially the tacit knowledge) is very important for learners’development in an informal learning community. The success of informal learning community is closely related to the knowledge sharing within the community. However, there are not enough informal learning communities, which can bring about sharing knowledge and experience, and play an indispensable role in the development of learners. The research on the knowledge sharing mechanism in informal learning community has important theoretical significance and practical value.The research follows the basic thought of "theory research-process research-mechanism design-mechanism implementing", besides the1st chapter "the introduction" and the6th chapter "the summary and the forecast", this paper main body is divided into4chapters.Chapter2:The basic theory of informal learning community’s knowledge sharing. After introducing the connotation of informal learning and learning community, it analyses the meaning, elements, features and causes. The supporting theories of informal learning include the social constructivism, situational cognition theory, group dynamic theory, communicative action theory, cooperative learning theory. At the same time, it also discusses the meaning, characteristics, types and patterns of knowledge sharing.Chapter3:The research of knowledge sharing process of informal learning community. Based on the reasonable definition of the concept of knowledge sharing of informal learning community, it analyzes the types, characteristics and factors of knowledge sharing of informal learning community. The model of knowledge sharing of informal learning community is divided into three types:the individual--individual mode, individual-community mode, community--individual mode. The process of knowledge sharing of informal learning community includes four stages:the seeking of knowledge, the provision of knowledge, the transformation of knowledge, the absorption of knowledge. The risks of knowledge sharing process of informal learning community are discussed. And finally it analyzes the influencing factors of knowledge sharing of informal learning community from the subject, object, situation and means of knowledge sharing.Chapter4:The design of informal learning community’s knowledge sharing mechanism. The informal learning community’s knowledge sharing mechanism is the inner way and approach for realization of informal learning community members’sharing knowledge. The design of knowledge sharing mechanism of informal learning community should follow these principles:learner-centered, development-oriented, resource-based, open-oriented and ensuring equality. The knowledge sharing mechanism of informal learning community can be divided into five sub-mechanisms, including technology mechanism, trust mechanism, incentive mechanism, organization mechanism and culture mechanism. And the content of the five sub-mechanisms are specifically designed.Chapter5:The realization strategies of knowledge sharing mechanism of informal learning community. Firstly, it analyses the implementing goals and principles of knowledge sharing mechanism of informal learning community. Secondly, it studies explicitly the implementation of five sub-mechanisms of informal learning community’s knowledge sharing. The effective measures to implement the informal learning community’s knowledge sharing technology mechanism include the construction of human-oriented knowledge sharing platform, the comprehensive application of knowledge sharing technologies, enhancing the participant’s information literacy. The effective measure to implement the informal learning community’s knowledge sharing trust mechanism include reasonably evaluating and choosing members, establishing constraint mechanism, improving communication channels, building the reputation mechanism among members, perfecting intellectual property strategy, setting up interest distribution mechanism. The effective measure to implement the informal learning community’s knowledge sharing incentive mechanism include strengthening the internal incentive mechanism, perfecting the external incentive mechanism, combined with the means of negative incentive. The effective measure to implement the informal learning community’s knowledge sharing organization mechanism include optimizing study environment, establishing study group, perfecting learning mechanism, enriching knowledge network, coordinating members’ relationship. The effective measure to implement the informal learning community’s knowledge sharing culture mechanism include fostering value system, creating common vision, enhancing cooperation desire, constructing belongingness, perfecting regulation culture.