Meta Collab

This article is a part of the collaborative research project to develop a general theory of collaboration.
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Experiential sharing, a subset of the first class collaborative element, knowledge sharing, is the exchange of experiential information regarding a collaborative domain and/or throughout a collaborative process. In a general sense, this characterises all collaborative processes in that all collaborations are shared experiences which would designate it as a first class collaborative element, however, a more specific definition is intended. This more specific definition precludes explicit symbolic communication methods such as speech, in order to focus upon tacit, implicit and often unconscious information exchange such as shared observations and moments of realisation, body language and kinaesthesia.

Experiential sharing is currently listed as a
second class collaborative element,
meaning it is an element of all human collaborative situations.

Many types and instances of experiential sharing may appear unnecessary or extraneous in a collaborative process but may become important at a later date, or may be important or required in a manner peripheral to stated objectives, for instance in the assistance of cultural and/or social negotiation.

Examples of experiential sharing[]

  • shared observations
  • shared moments of realisation
  • body language
  • kinaesthesia as in dance