Consider this unit’s readings and identify communities of practice and knowledge communities in your own life that particularly connect to work. Critically analyze them in relation to the readings and your own learning contexts.

I find it clear from this week’s readings on communities of practice, also known as learning communities, are everywhere. People come together formally and informally for some common interest. There are lots of examples such as the family, workplace, volunteer organizations, and even Facebook. As stated by Wenger (1998), “Communities of practice are an integral part of our daily lives… Most communities of practice do not have a name and do not issue membership cards. Yet, if we care to consider our own life from that perspective for a moment, we can all construct a fairly good picture of the communities of practice we belong to now, those we belonged to in the past, and those we would like to belong to in the future” (Wenger, 1998, p.7 as cited in Merriam & Bierema, 2014, p. 120-121).

My most recent community of practice is my enrollment in the M.Ed. program. “A learning community is a group of learners who share similar or common academic goals and attitudes, who meet regularly to collaborate on coursework or projects” (Lin, Cordie, & Witte (2018), p. 1). When I enrolled in the program and took the first course, I was on the periphery. I interacted with other learners, my professors, counsellors, friends, and support systems. In my third course, I have learned instructional design, school jargon, assignment procedures, and time management skills, so I am more central to the community. Once I have completed more courses and nearing the end of the program, I may have a mentoring relationship or be an information resource for others interested in pursuing the same educational path.

What a coincidence! My example of a community of practice resembles the four cornerstones (relationships, resources, instruction, and guidance) identified by Bruce Bearisto in his YouTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjA0z6ubzII.

Laurie

References

Merriam, S. & Bierema, L. (2014). Adult learning: Linking theory and practice. Jossey-Bass.

Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge University Press.