Knowledge conversion in VLEs: metrics to detect the SECI process in an e-learning course

The knowledge-creation and knowledge-management literature of the late twentieth century can provide insights also for online learning studies. Indeed, a process of learning is an active process of knowledge construction made by the learners’ community, in which each actor gives a specific contribution to knowledge development in the community. The responsibility of the learning process does not rely only on individuals, but on all the members of the community: everyone contributes in making knowledge available to others. This is true also in virtual learning environments. In these contexts, the teacher gives information and background knowledge on a specific topic. Knowledge is then shared among participants through technical instruments, such as discussion forums, in order for them to create new knowledge. The aim of this paper is to analyse the SECI process in a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), to show the stages that provide knowledge conversion, but also knowledge creation and sharing. To this aim we provide a framework based on SECI and some metrics to identify the SECI phases in a VLE course.