Developing tacit and codified knowledge and subject culture within a virtual learning environment

Creation of study environments (COSE) is a virtual learning environment system designed to facilitate active and collaborative learning. Designed to support distributed learning rather than as an instructional system, it provides a variety of learner support including specific tutor guidance and use of e-mail for peer and tutor discussions. This paper explores how the COSE system takes into account the relationship between the development of tacit and codified knowledge and the need for context in which learning takes place.