Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Digital KM at an Open University

Abstract

This study investigates the utilisation of digital knowledge management (KM) in enhancing teaching and learning at an open university, with a particular focus on Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) in Thailand. As a leading open university in Southeast Asia, STOU faces unique challenges in providing higher education opportunities to Thai people both locally and internationally. STOU recruits staff based on qualifications, attitude, and personal values to align with the open university mission and vision. STOU’s mission requires its academic and non-academic staff to have differentiated competency, necessitating specialised skill sets in open education, including self-learning textbook writing, mastery of e-learning, and other digital resources planning. This study highlights STOU’s capacity-building innovations in digital KM. Qualitative interviews were conducted with lecturers who participated in teaching and learning KM though qualitative interview with lecturers who participates in the KM on teaching and learning. The result of the study revealed that the key to success for enhancing teaching and learning was driven by the leveraging of a global standard framework called the UK Professional Standard Framework, together with certain KM activities such as face-to-face training, extensive online repository of resources, mentoring, and the utilisation of digital platforms. These initiatives equip academic staff with the necessary skills to effectively engage in the digital education landscape and encourage them to improve their teaching and learning. Robust KM practices at STOU significantly improve student passing rates, engagement, and satisfaction. The study offers practical recommendations to optimise digital KM via process-driven practices to contribute to the advancement of higher education in Southeast Asia.