What is a Community of Practice (CoP)?
A CoP is a group of people with a shared goal--to improve their practice. Guided by a facilitator, they "meet" during regularly scheduled conference calls, via a listserv, and in person, when opportunities arise (e.g., the PEJE Assembly). Through this peer-to-peer collaboration, members of the CoPs are able to: generate knowledge directly related to the work they do; utilize that knowledge back in their schools; and reflect on results in order to make further modifications, as needed. This iterative cycle yields more knowledge that can be widely disseminated to the field.
What do members of a CoP actually do when they meet?
Members address topics determined by their shared needs, interests, and concerns. Their phone-based and online discussions may be stimulated by one or more catalysts; e.g., an invited expert, PowerPoint slides, articles, a role play, an interview, artifacts or tools, or case studies. These catalysts serve as a springboard for sharing information, solving problems, and exchanging information and resources.
How is the knowledge used?
There is an expectation that the members will not only translate new ideas into practice back at their schools, but also share the results of what they are learning with each other--to continue the learning cycle. In addition, the knowledge generated within the CoP is further disseminated to others at the members' schools, and by PEJE to the wider community of Jewish day schools (through its website, publications, e-newsletter, and other sources).
What is the value of CoPs?
Participants have found that by forming relationships with others within a CoP, they feel less isolated. They feel validated, understood and supported by others who daily are doing the same kind of work. They are delighted with the speed in which they receive answers to questions posted online. As one member said, "We can discuss problems and explore solutions with people who are dealing with the same kinds of issues."
How can I join a CoP?
PEJE currently supports seven CoPs: Admission, Development, Diverse Learners, Financial Management, Israel Engagement, Leadership, Professional Development. The CoPs always welcome new members. If you are interested in reaching out, connecting, learning, sharing, and reflecting, please follow the link to the page for each CoP.
How Can I Find out More about CoPs?
We invite you to learn more about the concept of CoPs by linking to online articles and websites, as well as checking out recommended books.
- Communities of Practice: A Brief Introduction
by William M. Snyder, May 6, 2005 - A PowerPoint presentation.
- Communities of Practice: What are they? Why are they valuable?
How do we develop one?
by Etienne Wenger - An overview of the key elements.
- Weaving Together Online and Face-To-Face Learning:
A Design From a Communities of Practice Perspective
by John D. Smith & Beverly Trayner, 2005 - An article explaining ways to promote interaction across venues.
- Communities of Practice: Learning as a Social System
by Etienne Wenger, 1998 - An overview of Communities of Practice.
- What is New and Innovative in Collaborative Tools that your Organization Can Use for Strategic Advances?
by George Por, 2004 - A paper introducing technology platforms to support Communities of Practice.
- Communities of Practice: Going Virtual
by Chris Kimble, Paul Hildreth, Peter Wright, 2001 - Virtual Communities of Practice: Design for Collaboration and Knowledge Creation
by I.L. Kondratova and I. Goldfarb, 2004 - Towards a Typology of Virtual Communities of Practice
by Line Dube, Ann Bourhis, Real Jacob, 2006
- Cultivating Communities of Practice: A guide to Managing Knowledge
by Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, & William Snyder - Harvard Business School Press, 2002
- Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity
by Etienne Wenger - Cambridge University Press, 1998
- Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation
by Jean Lave & Etienne Wenger - Cambridge University Press, 1991
- The Handbook of Community Practice
by Marie Weil - Sage Publications, 2004
- Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
- http://www.geofunders.org/
- CPsquare: The Community of Practice for Communities of Practice
- http://www.cpsquare.org/
- Community of Practice (From Wikipedia)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_of_practice
- Communities of Practice
- http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/cop/
Print Page