How do learning communities work?

George has a question “ Is it possible to require folks to sign up as members before they can see the CoP content without having the CoP Administrator approve their request? Can they become members simply by filling out the personal profile and clicking submit? This is one complaint we are getting from our new members lately. They object to having to be "approved" by us. My only concern is that I don't want people to have access to the personal information of members unless they are willing to be members themselves.”

“ Is it possible to require folks to sign up as members before they can see the CoP content without having the CoP Administrator approve their request? Can they become members simply by filling out the personal profile and clicking submit? This is one complaint we are getting from our new members lately. They object to having to be "approved" by us. My only concern is that I don't want people to have access to the personal information of members unless they are willing to be members themselves.”

After running a search, George decides to ask a community of peers for their advice – he types a regular email.

George’s question is posted in the community where there are a number of peers asking and answering questions Brian is not an “expert” in this area, but has some expertise – he provides his best answer based on his experiences.

George’s is updated that his question has been answered

Social technologies reveal the value of this question to the enterprise. Now the best answer is easily findable by a learner looking to solve a problem The item is tagged and indexed to become searchable across the enterprise George clicks to view online, and marks the best answer as helpful – because he thinks it is a good one. © Copyright Tomoye Corporation, 2008

People who are asking and answering are revealed for others to see People who have answered marked as helpful, are indicated as emerging experts © Copyright Tomoye Corporation, 2008

Communities grow around these questions with documents and videos, blogs and other reference material. © Copyright Tomoye Corporation, 2008