El método de la ecología de recursos (ecology of resources method) y su aplicación para el desarrollo del conocimiento colectivo a través de las TIC

The EoR method examines the importance of individual and general context in the development of knowledge. It is the objective of this research to apply this methodology at the higher education level to support the development of virtual collective knowledge for students and academics. The research group analysed and evaluated the corresponding bibliography on the subject of EoR and its adaptation to the academic level proposed in this research, that of higher education. This facilitated a deeper knowledge of virtual communities of inquiry (objective of the research carried out in 2013/15) and its inclusion in the EoR method. Thus, the two approaches were merged to optimize the development of collective knowledge (versus traditional encyclopaedic knowledge) and obtain better results. As this research integrates, for the first time, the two approaches (Community of Inquiry and EoR), the research group decided to conduct a pilot fieldwork so as to assess possible future problems and provide required changes. The corresponding instruments were designed, basically regulations, theme, time scales and evaluation schemes. This piloting took place during two consecutive weeks using a closed group in Facebook, not the ideal platform but appropriate for this work. For the final fieldwork Edmodo platform will be used. After the assigned two weeks, the results were evaluated (after self-evaluation by group members). The pilot fieldwork was developed on the basis of the reflection cycle and ADDIE (analysis; design; development; implementation; evaluation) methodologies, which made it possible to introduce changes in aspects such as: adjustments to instruments, details to take into account in the design of the EoR chart, variations in time scales, classification of contribution types and analysis of exchanges, as well as considerations regarding the limitations that the chosen topic might present.