Ontologies in Higher Education

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to the use of ontologies and taxonomies in higher education. After a brief introduction to the nature of ontology, examples of ontology in higher education are reviewed. Issues in creating taxonomies, including their incorporation into search engines and concept maps, are then discussed. Software solutions for developing and utilizing taxonomies are presented next, along with problems and issues for implementation. Finally, future trends in the development of KM strategies for ontology are discussed.

Knowledge Management Solution to Challenges of Higher Education in South Africa

“…Dyer and McDonough (2001), state that the primary business uses or domains of KM include: capturing and sharing best practices, providing training and corporate training, managing customer relationships, delivering competitive intelligence, providing project workspace, managing legal and intellectual property, enhancing web publishing, supply chain management, etc. Milam (2001) observes that colleges will be better able to increase student retention and graduation rates, retain a technology workforce, expand new web-based offerings, analyse the cost effective use of technology to meet more enrolment, etc. Through KM, distributed learning will become the norm where information and knowledge that is not necessarily located on campus can be accessed by professors as well as students.…”

“…As universities contemplate adopting KM practices, they will have to take cognisance of a number of possible challenges. Milam (2001) citing Dyer and McDonough (2001) identifies several knowledge management challenges including: employees having no time for KM; current culture that fails to encourage sharing; lack of understanding of KM benefits; lack of skill in KM techniques; lack of funding for KM; lack of incentives or rewards to share; lack of appropriate technology; and lack of commitment from senior management. Kidwell et al (2000) explain that relying on institutional knowledge of some staff with specific expertise and knowledge may hamper the flexibility and responsiveness of any organisations.…”