Overview
Definition Wegner (2002) describes Communities of Practice as “…groups of people who share a passion for something that they know how to do and who interact regularly to learn how to do it better”.
To better understand this definition, view the following video from Brantlee Undrehill from the Project Management Institute, and her interview with Dr. Etienne Wenger: What is a Community of Practice? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63rQ3S8EHoA]
Purpose
Communities of Practice is a place where people can “…create, expand and exchange knowledge and to develop individual capabilities” (Knox, 2009).
According to Knox(2009) , the purpose of a community of practice is to build a community, domain and practice.
A community provides relationships that value a sense of belonging. This belonging is essential in establishing practice and forms the basis of collaboration and cooperation which forms close associations between practicing members. New teachers within the education system can become isolated and overwhelmed, leading to a high dropout rate. Mentoring and being involved in a community of practice provides the novice teachers a place to congregate, belong and problem-solve issues that face every day work experiences. This community bridges the gap between theory and practice. Participation is of course voluntary, however, the move involved you are the better outcomes for you and your eMentee.
Domain is the shared enquiry – the subject and matter that brings the community together. In this case it is the newness of the education process, the issues that face teachers every day, and the ability to navigate one’s way through the education system.
Practice is the body of knowledge, methods, tools documents, stories, cases of the shared domain (Wegner, 2002). Educational practice is a learned experience that is shared amongst the community. It is influenced by peers and promoted by institutions – but how does one truly excersise their practice in their chosen profession?
To get a better understanding of Communities of Practice, view B. Knox’s video Cultivating Communities of Practice: Making Them Grow [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhMPRZnRFkk]
Goal: To identify and become a part of a Community of Practice
Reading: Read Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice learning as a social system. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/cop/lss.shtml
Focusing Understanding
Start up Guide Etienne Wegner has provided us with a guide and direction in developing and sustaining a Community of Practice. Study the chart below and identify where your organization is in the development and sustainability of a Community of Practice.
Reflection Task
Reflection Question: Wenger identifies a number of compelling questions in this article. He identifies the importance of communities to organizations and defines the stages of development and roles a community plays. How do you perceive that a Community of Practice can play out in your organization? Post your answer on the Discussion Board under the Communities of Practice heading.
Interactivities
Activity # 1 Your journey through eMentoring has provided some personal insight into the concept of Communities of Practice and how it fits within your organization. Share these thoughts with the next time you and your mentee meet.
Now go to voicethread and record your perceptions of what a Community of Practice is and summarize your discussion with your mentee. Think about how it can influence you and your mentee’ s practice and perceptions of the organizations in which you work. Consider how Communities of Practice can be fostered and nurtured over time.
Reflection Task
Post your link to the Discussion Board under Communities of Practice.
Activity # 2 Mentors – A Discussion Board is a great beginning in developing relationships and identifying key questions that lead to discovery. To further enhance your experience and develop your relationships to other mentors, join the eMentor Wiki which is space that helps develop and support the role of Mentor that you have chosen to undertake. [Link to Mentoring Wiki].
Mentees – The eMentee Wiki is designed to support and develop communities and relationships with other novice teachers. Use this site to ask key questions and experiences from other people who are involved in the eMentoring program, are new to the profession and just to have a place to learn, discover and connect with other professionals. [Link to Mentee Wiki].
References and Resources
Anderson, T. (2008). Towards a theory of online learning. In Anderson, T. & Elloumi, F. Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca University.
Barab, S., & Duffy, T. (2000). From practice fields to communities of practice. In D. Jonassen and S. Land (Eds.), Theoretical foundations of learning environments. Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Knox, B. (2009). Cultivating Communities of Practice: Making Them Grow. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhMPRZnRFkk
Lankshear, C., & Knobel, M. (2008). The “twoness” of learn 2.0: Challenges and prospects of a would-be new learning paradigm. Closing keynote presented at the Learning 2.0: From Preschool to Beyond, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ.
Scardamalia, M., & Bereiter, C. (1994). Computer support for knowledge-building communities. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 3(3), 265-283.
Undrehill,B. (2009).What is a Community of Practice? Retrieved March 8, 2011, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63rQ3S8EHoA
Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice learning as a social system. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/cop/lss.shtml
Wenger, E. (2002). Cultivating Communities of Practice. Start up guide. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from http://www.ewenger.com/theory/start-up_guide_PDF.pdf
Wenger, E., McDermott, R., & Snyder, W. (2002). Cultivating communities of practice: A guide to managing knowledge. Retrieved March 8, 2011, from http://hbr.org/products/3308/3308p4.pdf
Wenger, E., McDermott, R., & Snyder, W. (2002). Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge – Seven Principles for Cultivating Communities of Practice. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/2855.html
Wenger, E., & Snyder, W. (2002). Learning in Communities. Line Zine. Retrieved March 4, 2011, from http://www.linezine.com/1/features/ewwslc.htm
Yaw, C. (2007). E-Mentoring in Virtual Education. Retrieved March 4, 2010, Retrieved March 4, 2011, from http://www.scribd.com/doc/31592367/E-Mentoring-in-Virtual-Education