A "community of practice” refers to a group of like minded practitioners who have a similar goal in developing a knowing and learning e-community. It develops a collective learning space in a shared domain. It is centered on collaboration and accessing relevant information, resources, focus tools and helps practitioners develop common practices. A growing number of people and organizations from all sectors now take part in communities of practice. These communities have become an important platform for shared material.
An online community of practice in the educational sector gives the practitioners an opportunity to read and research data that is offered by their online colleagues. It also gives them an opportunity to submit and share their own information and knowledge. It helps develop trust in the instruction given and offers advice and feedback about a specific subject of interest.
In a world of so much choice it enables all those involved the opportunity to keep current with trends and practices. An online community of practice is perfect for the practitioners that may work alone on a specific project in an organization and feel isolated. It helps develop essential benchmarks and offers ideas about ongoing practices that are already being implemented.
Belonging to a Community of Practice may help solve hurdles and problems that may arise when working alone. It can also give the practitioner the opportunity to develop new skills and build reputation in the online world.
All practitioners are in the process of learning when involved in a COP they have the ability to contribute their own knowledge and experience, this creates empowerment and a strong learning environment.
A COP fulfills a number of functions that help keep organizations and focus groups healthy.
- Establishes communication and helps the community develop at a similar pace.
- A place to share and discuss current instruction and makes it easier for those who are involved in development
- learn from content e-builders
- Locate resources for your classroom, such as free websites and software
- Offers Informal learning like mentoring
- Get lesson plan ideas from others
- Learn about new technologies to integrate into your teaching
- New opportunities for observing and reflection
- Allows different social contexts for learning with active peer
- It helps with problem solving
- Find collaborative solutions
- Develops collaboration amongst peers
- Shares goals and interests
- Helps organize learning through social communities
- Enables individual lifelong learning
- Find interesting links to education news
- For Professional development
- Network
- Domain: The Domain is the identity of the area of shared interest that is developed for the professional needs of the practitioners. It brings people together who are seeking knowledge and skill about a specific subject and common ground. It is the meeting place that allows the community of practice to take place.The domain is the place to find inspiration and help enhance ability.
- Community. The community is the people who give their own time to participate in the Community of practice. They can come from anywhere at any time and participate at will. Practitioners that are part of the community generally join to develop social relationships and engage in collaborative and joint activities. They may often never meet face to face but still develop online professional relationships that can last many years. .The community is the people who are interested in each other’s ideas and practices
- Practice The Practice is the work that is done by the practitioners to enhance professional development and further the community’s goals. It gives an opportunity to share and communicate relevant information and implement professional ideas or plans.
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