Can We Protect our Thoughts?
0400 Introduction to Management
TOPIC OR UNIT OF STUDY
Knowledge management
CONTENT STANDARD(S) AND OBJECTIVE(S)
 Explain the nature of knowledge management
(Activity 1-2)
 Discuss the role of ethics in knowledge management
(Activity 2)
 Explain legal considerations for knowledge management
(Activity 3)
 Explain the use of technology in knowledge management
(Activity 1)
 Write inquiries
(Activity 3)
 Write business letters
(Activity 2)
INTRODUCTION
Not all of our resources are physical objects. Today the management of knowledge has become as
much of a challenge as managing our inventory. For this lesson we will build knowledge of what
knowledge management is, then complete a case study with research in order to give advice to the
injured party in this case.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
What is knowledge management in regards to storage, protection, legal assurance, and ethical
handling?
INTEGRATION OF ACADEMICS, TECHNOLOGY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP
To complete this project, students will use basic terms and concepts, to complete the following
academic, technology, and entrepreneurship activities:
 Academic activities –website research, critical thinking and writing skills;
 Technology activities – website research, use of MOS Word and Power Point;
 Entrepreneurship activities – students will complete an activity where they will have research
patent requirements and legal issues.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING PROCESS
Students will be able to determine what products they want to use in their Power Point, as a way of
allowing creativity and individual style to show.
TASK(S)
 Search for types of knowledge management & give examples for business in Activity 1
90 min
 Review ethical case study, develop responses and type business letter in Activity 2
90 min
 Analyze the patent process to determine contact, then write letter in Activity 3
90 min
RESOURCES
Websites
http://www.cio.com/article/40343/Knowledge_Management_Definition_and_Solutions
http://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2012/08/20/why-knowledge-management-isimportant-to-the-success-of-your-company/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_management
http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/index.jsp
TECHNOLOGY USE
Internet research, Computers, Word & Power Point software
EVALUATION
 Activity 1 – Search for types of knowledge management & give examples for business
25 pts
 Activity 2 – Review ethical case study, develop responses and type business letter
32 pts
 Activity 3 – Analyze the patent process to determine contact, then write letter
17 pts
Total Points
74 pts
Authentic assessments will be evaluated with the rubrics that are located on each activity.
TIMELINE
Block scheduling-4 days, periods-8 days. This includes time for lecture, textbook readings, and
discussions. Depending on student’s ability, extended time may be needed on some projects.
Day 1
Review knowledge management & show example to students
20 min
Search internet for types of knowledge management examples for business
40 min
Create a Power Point showing examples for Activity 1
30 min
Day 2
Write responses to Case study questions for Activity 2
60 min
Place students in small groups to share responses to case study, then class share
30 min
Day 3
Search Internet for Patent information and law advice for Activity 3
45 min
Write an inquiry to a lawyer/patent office about situation
30 min
Share information as a class for advice on this case study
15 min
CONCLUSION
At the conclusion of this lesson, students will understand what knowledge management entails in
regards to storage, protection, legal assurance, and ethical handling?
Activity 1 - How we deal with knowledge!
Introduction: The way people deal with knowledge today is much different that in recent history.
Libraries were the main source and storage of knowledge. Businesses also have a lot of knowledge that
is now stored in different venue that must be made available to those who need it and yet keep it
secure.
Using these websites or some of your own find 8 different examples of knowledge management. Give
specific examples, definitions, software and other management solutions.
1. http://www.cio.com/article/40343/Knowledge_Management_Definition_and_Solutions
2. http://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2012/08/20/why-knowledge-management-isimportant-to-the-success-of-your-company/
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowledge_management
http://www.palgrave-journals.com/kmrp/index.html
One example would be intellectual knowledge created by professors in the Universities. How is it
created, how is it protected, who does it belong to, etc.
Create a Power Point with the information collected. List each item on its own slide. Explain the item.
Use the example given above to help you decide how to describe it on your slide. Also see the grading
rubric below for project specifics.
Grading rubric: (checkmark between the lines for 2 or 4 points if quality fits between)
Topic
5 points - Excellent
3 points - Average
Title
shows
name,
date
&
Title
show
correct info
Slide
project
Items
1
per
slide
Information
Items-1 per page, explained
Slide
Appearance
Professional looking
Design applied, not crazy colors
Text font & size is easy to read,
not too wordy
Amount of
material
More than the minimum of 8
slides created
Includes issues of a national and
international concern.
Good use of related images and
color that emphasizes the point.
Color used all blend well with
the background design used.
Shows creativity by thinking
outside of the box to come with
information, then relates them
successfully.
Graphics &
Color
Creativity
Items listed but not fully
explained
Somewhat professional looking
Color applied to all slides
Some text font or size is difficult
to read (too wordy)
Contains 1 short of the minimum
8 slides.
Included local and national issues
of concern.
Uses several images that relate,
but some do not.
Color is applied to the slides but
doesn’t always blend well.
Some originality shown in the
articles that are chosen and how
they are connected.
Total points per project
1 point - Poor
Title has most information
Items are sometimes 2 per page
Explanation - missing
Not professional looking
No color or wild color applied
Difficult to read and understand.
(Font or size is not appropriate
for reading)
Contains less than 6 items, or
less than 6 that are complete.
Included local issues of concern
only.
Few images used or none that
relate to the topic.
Color is not applied or makes
the text difficult to read.
Poor creativity.
No originality in articles chosen,
had to be spoon-fed with ideas
of articles or used other’s ideas.
_____ of 25 pts
Activity 2 - Ethics Case Study
When thinking about how ethics is important in knowledge management, let’s look at the example of
the college professor again.
Dr. Wells has been working with his advanced chemistry class to try to create a product that will remove
stickiness of glue off of leather, but not damage the leather. This was a project he had been using in his
classes for years as a way to let students show their skills and creativity.
This year, Dr. Wells and his assistant were cleaning up after this specific lab and mixed to student results
together to discard them. During the clean up process, he was showing his assistant what the students
need to be doing when they test their product and found that the discarded liquid he was using was a
success! Looking up which students had created the compound and then adding all of the compounds
together, he was able to repeat the process on his own and found a successful glue removal product.
This is an example of intellectual knowledge. Who does it belong to? (Will group answers at end)
Give an argument for the University’s right to own this knowledge.
(5 pts)
Give an argument for Dr. Wells’ right to have sole ownership of this knowledge.
(5 pts)
Give an argument for the University and Dr. Well’s to share the ownership rights.
(5 pts)
Write a business style letter from Dr. Wells to WVU’s President (look up address information). You will
give Dr. Well’s argument for sole ownership as you write the letter to the University, but since he does
not what to lose his job or upset the President, remember to thank them for the use of their facilities for
his students, where this discovery could take place.
(See Rubric for points)
Points
5
4
4
4
15
32
Description
Correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
Correct placement of inside and recipient addresses, and in the correct format
Correct salutation and closing, and with correct punctuation
Correct spacing and alignment used throughout the letter (see the Owl at Purdue website
Points from questions above
Total points from this activity
Score
Activity 3 - Case Continued… in court?
Dr. Wells did not get a good response back from the University, and it came from their lawyers and not
the President’s office. He knew this was trouble, as the language suggested that his job might be in
danger, as well as loosing rights to the product he had discovered.
In order to protect himself, he decided to research the patent process at
http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/index.jsp. Help him determine who he needs to contact. Then
draft a letter of inquiry to that agency.
Grading rubric for the letter:
Points
5
4
4
4
17
Description
Correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
Correct placement of inside and recipient addresses, and in the correct format
Correct salutation and closing, and with correct punctuation
Correct spacing and alignment used throughout the letter (see the Owl at Purdue website
Total points from this activity
Score