Web 3.0 Tools and Knowledge Conversion by Distance Learners

Abstract

Rationale of Study – The emergence of the Internet has unlocked immense prospects for distance learning. One of the prospects is Web 3.0 tools, a web  platform that enables its users to read, write and execute content. Previous studies established the use of Web 3.0 tools in higher education but this  author knows of no studies on the use of Web 3.0 tools for knowledge management by distance learners in Nigeria. Therefore, this paper examines  distance learners’ knowledge conversion using the SECI knowledge management model and identifies appropriate Web 3.0 tools used in each quadrant.  

Methodology – A descriptive research design was used for this study. Qualitative data was collected from 16 distance learners from the Distance  Learning Centre, the University of Ibadan using interviews. The respondents were purposively selected from the faculties of Arts, Education, Science, and  Social Sciences.

Findings – The distance learners at the University of Ibadan went through the four quadrants of knowledge conversion in the course of their distance  learning programmes in accordance with the SECI knowledge conversion model. They use Web 3.0 tools such as Google Classroom, WhatsApp, Google  Hangout, Facebook, E-library, Semantic Search Engines, and Open Educational Resources, and Google Drive in the four quadrants of SECI knowledge  conversion.

Implications – The findings of the study confirmed that Web 3.0 tools are germane to distance learners’ knowledge conversion activities.  

Originality – This study has a prodigious value because it is the first study to examine the usage of Web 3.0 tools in knowledge conversion by distance  learners in Nigeria.