Requirements development in loosely coupled systems: building a knowledge management system with schools

The diffusion of computers, local area networks and Internet connections in schools and the increase of instructional software and online resources is a challenge for the school system. Appropriate tools to store, access, distribute and to use those resources in schools are still in their infancy. In order to understand why schools as learning institutions are struggling with knowledge exchange, existing models for knowledge management is described and adopted to the school context. Based on this framework, the specific functional requirements for of key stakeholders in schools are derived. In order to integrate the requirements into system development for a computer-based knowledge management system, a participatory design process was initiated with three schools. The empirical findings during the process of requirement analysis are documented, focusing on key organizational aspects in schools. Based on empirical evidence, it is suggested that participatory design can be used not only as a method for user-oriented system development but also as a catalyst for reflecting the new role of technology for teaching and learning within an organizational change process.