I have really enjoyed this topic. I DO believe this group to be an
example of a community of practice.

 

o        I read and or respond frequently to request information from
others, and I have come to feel like I know many of the people who
regularly contribute to the list.  

 

o        I tend to be drawn to certain topics (reflecting upon other
teachers' experiences) and carefully watch those discussions.  I am VERY
interested in Communities of Practice and I would like to incorporate my
interest in COPs into a serious research topic for my doctorate work in
Educational Technology (University of Delaware).  I would love to hear
from those of you reading and responding to this topic with suggestions.
This semester I am taking my ninth (of 14) class, and it is the first of
a set of three that are designed to teach me how to write Executive
Position Papers (University of Delaware's EdD alternative to a
dissertation).  I am a correctional educator in the state of Delaware.
Our state professional development money was significantly cut this
year. I would love to suggest/help design some technology enhanced
(COP-like) alternatives to my adult education colleagues in Delaware,
but I do not know that they are receptive to this idea.   As Janet
Isserlis wrote (earlier today).....I am also  " mindful that for many
this is a more challenging form of communication - because of lack of
time, because of a preference for face-to-face interaction, because of
problems gaining access to the internet."  I would love to help break
down the barriers that challenge my colleagues and encourage their
participation in list and other forms of online PD.

 

o        I contribute to the Adult Ed Wiki (although I have been
delinquent lately) and I have made an effort to report here and to the
Wiki after I have led or participated in national conferences.  I
sincerely appreciate the feedback from others who attend the conferences
- as my travel budget is limited! :-)

 

Gina Lobaccaro

 

"Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are
moving.  We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -
but sail we must and not drift nor lie at anchor." Author appreciated,
but unknown.

 


Sussex Correctional Institution
Prison Education Department
PO Box 500
Georgetown, DE 19947
Office (302) 856-5282 x 6204
Fax (302) 856-5642
gina.lobaccaro at state.de.us

 

 

________________________________

From: familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:familyliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Dianna Baycich
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 2:34 PM
To: familyliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject: [FamilyLiteracy 1175] Are we a community of practice?

 

Dear Colleagues,

I'm trying to gather information for a project I'm working on so I'd
like your feedback on how to more clearly articulate how you (and other
subscribers) use the Family Literacy List (and possibly other NIFL
lists). For example, the Institute's lists
(http://www.nifl.gov/lincs/discussions/discussions.html) historically
have been used to 

 

*	Problem solve 
*	Request or receive information 
*	Seek others' teaching or learning experiences 
*	Introduce, discuss, and develop projects and resources 
*	Introduce field experts and dialogue with them about their work 
*	Raise awareness of and debate key issues important to the field 
*	Plan, preview, and report on sessions held at national
conferences 
*	Identify who has knowledge and learn about our field's knowledge
gaps 

 

Some would call groups engaged in this kind of activity "communities of
practice" (CoPs) http://www.ewenger.com/theory/index.htm .

 

Communities of practice are:

 

Groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do
and they learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. 

 

CoPs share a common interest and commitment to that interest that
distinguishes them from others, they engage in joint learning activities
(whether intentional or not), build relationships that enable them to
learn from one another, and they strive to improve what they do.

 

1.	What are your reactions to using this language "communities of
practice" to describe who we are and what we do, or for some, what we
strive for on the list? 

 

2.	Is this how you see yourself on this discussion list? Or, could
you see yourself becoming more involved in this way? 

 

3.	What comments or concerns, if any, do you have about the concept
and the term "communities of practice" as it might be used to describe
our online interactions? 

 

For a quick overview on CoPs: http://www.ewenger.com/theory/index.htm

 

I look forward to hearing from you! Please post your reply to the list
no later than Tuesday, Sept. 2.

 

Thanks so much! 

Dianna

 

Dianna Baycich

Ohio Literacy Resource Center

Research 1 - 1100 Summit Street,

P.O. Box 5190

Kent State University

Kent, OH 44242-0001

330.672.7841  330.672.4841 (fax)

 

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray/Go throw your TV set away/And in
its place you can install/A lovely bookshelf on the wall."
- Roald Dahl

 

 

 

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