Technologies for Disseminating Knowledge

This chapter concentrates on the technology for disseminating knowledge. Most of the technology in use, ranging from the telephone, to the World Wide Web, e-mail, groupware, intelligent agents, and information portals, was originally developed for other purposes and adapted for transfer use. The discussion is organized around a 3-dimensional model of the technology, the method of retrieval (search, organize, interface, feedback), and the method of dissemination for knowledge sharing (pull, push, point). In addition to describing specific digital technologies for disseminating knowledge, the chapter considers implementation issues, presents case examples, and examines non-computer-based dissemination methods. The chapter concludes by examining what technologies can and cannot do.