CommunitiesofPractice

Another 2008 Community Newsletter

I created the slogan, “Connection our Learning Community with Technology” in 2007, while I was revamping Berkeley High’s technology program as their Teacher on Special Assignment-Technology Coordinator.  This was long before I knew about Communities of Practice and other related theories.  Interesting how Wenger and Communities of Practice have become such an important part of my journey.

Here is one of my early Berkeley High newsletters that I wrote, edited, and published.  I tried to provide similar newsletters with relevant tech topics monthly.  They were utilized throughout the District and to support our WASC Plan.

Communities of Practice (CoP)

Communities of Practice (CoP) are a recent term used to describe an practice dating back to ancient times, which describe how people come to gather to make meaning, achieve tasks, and form groups…communities.  Etienne Wenger coined the term CoP to represent, “Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. “

The three required components of a CoP are:

1.  Domain – a group that is more than a club, it actually provides and identity for the member(s)
2.  Community – a group that builds relationships by interacting with one another in various settings and on different kinds of tasks
3.  Practice – The tasks and interests are beyond hobbies, the practitioners are highly skilled and learned on the activity.

For more information, visit:

Wenger’s homepage: http://www.ewenger.com/theory/

CPsquare is the CoP on CoPs:  http://cpsquare.org/vision/

CPsquare Foundations provides intensive workshops to develop CoP practice:  The Foundations of Communities of Practice workshop will be offered next starting on October 24, 2011.  http://cpsquare.org/edu/foundations/