Amaury Daele

Evaluation for knowledge

This chapter presents a new approach to evaluation called evaluation for knowledge. We suggest that this approach conceals the capacity to support the emergence of authentic learners’ communities and thus contribute to quality of learning and provide criteria for its evaluation. To confront this idea, we will present the bases and the characteristics of the evaluation for knowledge approach and its convergence with the emerging process of learners’ community. Two cases will then be describe to illustrate this convergence. Finally, we will suggest a set of instruments that could be used to implement evaluation for knowledge.

Design in Use of Services and Scenarios to Support Learning in Communities of Practice

This paper presents a research realised in the framework of the PALETTE project (FP6-TEL) which aimed at observing and analysing the design in use of web services and tools in the context of Communities of Practice (CoPs). Design in use consists in trialling the prototypes and their scenarios of uses and to observe the instrumental genesis carried out by the CoPs services. We first present our conceptual framework based on the instrumental genesis theory. We then present our methodology for the generation of data and the analysis. Results of a cross-case analysis done on seven cases of design in use of PALETTE services and scenarios by CoPs are then described and analysed. The discussion provides reflection that may inform the use of PALETTE services by other CoPs in other contexts. Finally, in the conclusion, we reflect on our methodological approach and results, and provide guidelines for further research.