The document discusses the development of online communities of practice for professional learning. It defines communities of practice as groups that share a passion for what they do and who regularly interact to improve. Online communities of practice allow for anytime, anywhere learning without set meeting times. They work best with a blend of online and in-person communication. The author shares her experience developing the Te@chThought online community using social media and initiatives like Twitter chats and blogs. She outlines challenges and benefits of online communities of practice and provides tips for getting started and maintaining momentum.

1. Pathways to
Collaboration
Developing an Online Community
of Practice
Justine Hughes
The Innovative E

2. ● Teacher
● Education Consultant
● Masters’ - final year
● Global Education Conference -
International Advisory Board member
● Social Media Manager
● Online Community Builder and
Facilitator

3. How Did I Become Intrigued...
● Previous professional learning
experiences
● Looking for ways to sustain learning,
continue to create learning
● Have applied this to several age groups
now - from younger students through to
adults

4. What are Communities of Practice?
"A group of people who share a passion for
what they do, something they know how to
do and who interact regularly to learn how to
do it better."
Etienne Wenger

5. Etienne Wenger explains...

6. “Members of a community are informally bound by what
they do together…”
Defined by 3 dimensions:
“What it is about…”
“How it functions…”
“What capability it has produced…”
“...learning partnerships…”
Wenger 1998

7. How do they differ from a traditional Professional
Learning Community? (PLC or PLN)
● Can be solely online or a blend of online and
face-to-face in real time
● Not reliant on a specific meeting time
● Anytime, anywhere learning, communication
and support
● No one is an expert - everyone has expertise
● No definitive completion date - ongoing

8. Online Communities of Practice
● A blend of online and face-to-face
communication works best
● Designed to evolve
● All perspectives and experience valued
● Public and private discussion spaces
● Trust is key

9. ● Focused on value for learning
● Familiarity and excitement of new and
potential learning
● Rhythm for the community - activities,
meetings, virtual conferences and
discussion, Internet activity - a mixture of
formal and informal activity

10. The Vital Role of Social Media
● Keep it simple and easy to access
● Decide on your platforms

11. Benefits
● Motivation
● Connection
● Engagement
● Support and encouragement
● Collaboration
● Shared learning
● Co-construction of knowledge

12. The Te@chThought Journey
● February 2014: 13k members on the FB page
● Goals: Create an online community of practice using
Etienne Wenger’s model
: Increase the community to 15k by the end of
2014 (Currently standing at 19.5k)
: Create a community where members are
comfortable asking questions and sharing
ideas
and collaborate to share and create knowledge

13. Challenges
● Taking a FB page and attempting to
create a community
● Global challenges - language, time
zones, areas of interest / need

14. Initiatives to Date...
● Twitter Chat #ttchat
● Facebook - changing focus
● Te@chThought Online Community Wiki -
includes a discussion forum
● Blogging Challenge

15. Coming up / Next phase..
● October - Connected Educator Month
● Google Hangouts
● Skype
● Online Workshops

16. Getting Started
● Know your target group and their common needs
● Be clear regarding your purpose
● Identify someone who is keen to be involved in running
the community - preferably a student
● Allow for, and encourage, legitimate peripheral
participation
● Create a safe, trusting learning environment to
encourage participation
● ‘Any and all ideas count’

17. ● Focus on the learning
● Build collaboration - look for your participants with
expertise, passion and get them involved
● Create leadership opportunities within the community
● Developing ownership of the community by its members
is key to its success
● Identity development is vital

18. Maintaining Momentum
● Find ways to encourage participation
without being overly prescriptive
● Relevancy is important
● Informal rather than formal
● Opportunities for face-to-face meetings
where possible

19. A Final Thought...
The way we learn is changing. Everyone
has knowledge to share.

20. Thank you!
Web: www.theinnovativee.com
Email: justine.hughes29@gmail.com
Blog: http://k12motivation.blogspot.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elearningbuzz14
Google+: google.com/+JustineHughes
Twitter: @cossie29
DDI: (09)236 6790
Mob: 0276 369559