With a combined 8 years of experience on the developing end of six multidisciplinary CoPs we share our experience, trials and errors. In this interactive workshop that covered the success strategies we’ve used to (1) Develop an infrastructure that supports syndication and mobile interaction; (2) Assess the expertise in membership; (3) Identify/close gaps in knowledge/skills (MediaWiki/Drupal); (4) Organize CoP members into workable teams; (5) Share, update, and foster connectivity; (6) Create a “call to action” that supports and motivates members; and (7) Engage the membership. So bring your questions, concerns and real world experience and together with these strategies, becoming a principal source of information in the development of knowledge and innovation in your area of expertise is only a Community of Practice away.
1. 7 Critical Success Factors for Developing Your eXtension Community of Practice Presented by Marissa Stone, Auburn University marissa.stone@gmail.com Jerri Caldwell, Auburn University caldwjl@auburn.edu ACE/NETC Ver. 2.011, Denver Colorado
2. Coming together is a beginning.Keeping together is progress.Working together is success. - Henry Ford
3. What is a Community of Practice? According to Etienne Wenger [www.ewenger.com]: Communities of practice (CoPs) are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do. Through the CoP they interact regularly learning how to do it better. Three Crucial Characteristics of CoPs: The Domain (subject): an identity defined by a shared domain of interest. Membership implies a commitment to this domain. The Community (people): In pursuing their interest in their domain, members engage in joint activities and discussions, help each other, and share information. The Practice (action): Members of a community of practice are practitioners. They develop a shared repertoire of resources: experiences, stories, tools, ways of addressing recurring problems—in short a shared practice. This takes time and sustained interaction.
34. Create a CoP listserv in eXtension- send monthly updates on progress, goals, projects, celebrate accomplishments, share CoP news.
35. Social media applications such as blogs, wikis, photo, audio and video files, digital storytelling, podcasts, and 3D virtual worlds support collaborative online/ social spaces where members can connect.
36.
37. Approach all actions as a mediated whole- each action builds on others- this helps people feel part of something- responsible for their part
38. Establish an expectation for accomplishment- hold people accountable- ask how things are coming along or if they need help
55. Questions? Interaction Syndication Challenge Communication Survey Assessment Call to Action Identify Membership Participation Your Community Domain Engaging Community