KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ASSIGNMENT TWO Assessment Two Contribution: 50% of the module grade Hand in Date: 11 December 2009 before 4.00pm Word Limit: Between 2,000 and 2,500 words long including references. Assessment Content: An essay or short paper, PRINTED DOUBLE-SIDED, in which you should:- Find one topic that was taught on the knowledge management module that you find important to you (interesting or valuable). Examples of topics include, but are not restricted to, Communities of Practice, Knowledge Management Software/Systems, Knowledge Sharing, Knowledge Cultures in Organisation, Tacit Knowledge in Organisations. Then discuss this topic as follows (and the following numbered phrases may be used as headings): §1. The Knowledge Management Topic that is Important. (500 words) Name the topic. Then describe in your own words what makes up the topic and how it affects organisations and business. You may summarise what was given you in the module about this topic, but you will get more marks if you also summarise other material that you find in journals, books, etc. §2. Why This Topic Is Important. (500 words) Explain and discuss why the topic is important in organisations and business. Explain and discuss why it is interesting or valuable to YOU. §3. Critical Analysis of the Topic. (600-1000 words) Critically analyse in what ways the practice and/or theory about this topic is good and bad, and the different kinds of benefits and dangers that are related to this topic. I recommend that to do this you use aspectual analysis as taught elsewhere on the course (specifically during the Key Issues in ISD module), focusing on the 'human aspects', namely from the analytic to faith/pistic aspect. The list of these aspects is appended below. However, if you do not feel confident to do this, or for any other reason you cannot or do not wish to make an aspectual analysis of this kind, then you may use any other method you wish to critically analyse. §4. How I Intend to Apply This Topic. (200 words) Discuss in what ways you might apply this topic when you leave the University. §5. Conclusion (100-200 words) §6. References, as needed. Note: Some references are expected in §1 and §2. In §3, aspectual analysis does not require references, but if you provide any good ones you might receive extra marks. However, if you do not use aspectual analysis then references would be expected in §3. Total: 2000-2500 words. Assessment Criteria: Your work will be assessed using the general marking criteria listed in the student handbook and in relation to the following learning outcomes of the module, but in addition, extra marks will be given for PRINTING DOUBLE- SIDED. Specifically, the following criteria and approximate proportion will be applied to the items above, We might however occasionally vary this if, for example, a student makes an exceptionally good entry in one item. §1. The Knowledge Management Topic that is Important. 15-25 marks » Clear and deep understanding of the topic » Understanding of what others have theorized or believed about the topic » Quality of description and discussion of topic (understandable, succinct, but deep) » Critical attitude (questioning whether what was taught on the module, or what you find in literature material, is valid and giving good reasons why questioning it). §2. Why This Topic Is Important. 15-25 marks » Quality of reasons why the topic is important. » Understanding of ways in which this topic is important in the wider world. » A feeling or appreciation or excitement. §3. Critical Analysis of the Topic. 40 marks » Understanding of how each aspect of the topic can be good or bad » Imagination in critical discussion » Ability to discuss aspects that are often overlooked » Ability to take a critical stance §4. How I Intend to Apply This Topic. 10-15 marks. » Practical understanding of topic » Imagination » Self-critique and self-understanding » General quality of this discussion §5. Conclusion 5-10 marks » Ability to understand and express how all the above links together » Understanding of how this is important in the wider world. §6. References, as needed. Extra marks. » Note: Good references are treated as a bonus, for which extra marks may be added, rather than a requirement, in this essay because, if you undertake aspectual analysis, then fewer references are expected then in Assignment 1. » Quality of references. For Printing Double-Sided: 2 extra marks.