Theoretical approaches for enhancing IS-related learning in organizations

Organizational change and learning processes are often related to the development of information systems (IS). The theoretical groundings for management and organizational learning should be recognized in order to foster learning via IS. Learning theories must be examined for quaranteeing a feasible scientific ground for design of learning, education and development processes. In this paper Kolb's research on experiential learning provides an excellent view of how people learn through experience. Models for understanding the social reality of people are required to understand the cultural and social qualities of the working environment. The cultural context of learning should be noted, learning should be learner-centered, not teacheror material-centered. The key word is mediation. We can ask, what are we mediating and how? Cognitive theories in addition to theories about cultural mediation set us a new approach for developing IS and re-organizing organizational activities. An attempt is made to apply both experiential and cultural learning issues in understanding computer mediated learning, education and development.