Knowledge Sharing in an Academic Institution: A Case Study on Joint Course Evaluation

Abstract

There is an increasing demand in academia for working more effectively. As budgets are tighter and lecturers struggle to find time for all administration tied to each course, we need to work differently, but without losing opportunities of sharing knowledge amongst the lecturers that make up the community of practice that represents a study program. One way of sharing knowledge and to help strengthen the community feeling amongst the lecturers on a study program, is to join forces regarding course evaluations. Often courses can be viewed as connected, particularly within the same study program. Hence, to save time for the students and for faculty staff, it is thus possible to organize for a joint evaluation form. In this paper we will present the students’ and the lecturers’ feedback on using a joint evaluation form that comprises evaluation for two courses within the same study program for two different study programs; “Organization, leadership and digitalization” and “Knowledge Management”, both part time study programs, but with a rather high number of students (approximately 250 and 90). We will investigate how this affects the knowledge sharing amongst colleagues lecturing at the same study program. Our qualitative research approach has consisted of observations and group interviews. One of the most interesting findings was that the students got an improved understanding of the connection between the courses and allowed utilizing their own work background in both courses, the latter enabling them to understand better what happens in their workplace. For the faculty staff it facilitated for more collaboration and a stronger sense of being in a community of practice.