Community of Practice Design Guide
CCoommmmuunniittyy ooff PPrraaccttiiccee DDeessiiggnn GGuuiiddee A Step-by-Step Guide for Designing & Cultivating Communities of Practice in Higher Education Acknowledgments Why Are Communities Important? This guide was developed based on the shared Today, organizations, workgroups, teams, and experiences of several organizations working together individuals must work together in new ways. Inter- in ways that embody the spirit of collaboration. These organizational collaboration is increasingly important. included the National Learning Infrastructure Initiative Communities of practice provide a new model for at EDUCAUSE (http://www.educause.edu/nlii) and a connecting people in the spirit of learning, knowledge community it sponsored, the Bridging VCOP; the sharing, and collaboration as well as individual, group, American Association for Higher Education. and organizational development. (http://www.aahe.org); and iCohere (http://www.icohere.com). We would also like to Communities of practice are important because they: specifically acknowledge the NLII VCOP Facilitators X Connect people who might not otherwise Team and four generations of NLII Fellows for their have the opportunity to interact, either as ongoing contribution to and successful demonstration frequently or at all. of many of the processes and tools presented in this guide. X Provide a shared context for people to communicate and share information, stories, and personal experiences in a way that builds understanding and insight. How to Use This Community Design Guide X Enable dialogue between people who come This guide provides a practical approach to creating together to explore new possibilities, solve challenging problems, and create new, communities of practice (CoPs) based on experiences mutually beneficial opportunities. working with corporations, nonprofits, associations, government organizations, and educational X Stimulate learning by serving as a vehicle for institutions.
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