Introduction to basic concepts of Communities of Practice

1. What is Important About CoP By Naava Frank Knowledge Communities July 08

3. Community Practice Domain Framework for Communities of Practice C. P. D. A strong CoP maintains a balance between the pulls of Community, Practice and Domain. This ‘conceptual trinity’ is the foundational framework of CoP.

6. occasional transactional peripheral active coordinator core group lurkers leaders sponsors experts beginners alumni © Etienne Wenger Types of Participation

7. occasional peripheral some knowledge I, J, K expert Technology Practices of Community Members H: I know it. How do I get my people to know it? Facilitator : I know some but could know more E: educating herself and her community C: Dipping her toe in – trying audio recording of calls G: Frustrated Don’t know enough to help them but they need it--starting a wiki for members F: Focused experiment. Success disseminating a CD of calls to members D: Skeptical but open, attitude about technology, exploring second life for her community A & B: Not sure if they need it

9. Loose network of people with similar issues and needs Members come together and launch a community It forms an identity, takes charge of its practice and grows The community is established and acts as a strategic steward of its domain It has fulfilled its potential; subdivides; or mainstreams Discover common ground and imagine a community Design community roles and activities; peer problem solving Coordinate variety of learning activities—formal and informal; recruits broader participation Sustain energy, set standards, educate novices, establish legitimacy and influence on results Celebrate accomplishments, generate new communities, or institutionalize roles and practices Stages of development & related activities Evolution from ad-hoc to strategic © William Snyder & Etienne Wenger Community Development Model Legacy Stewardship Maturing Coalescing Potential

10. Facilitation Collaboration Knowledge Management/ Knowledge Sharing Community Building/ Community Engagement Networks Communities of Practice Capacity Building/ Organizational Development PLC* Training Technology/Web 2.0 technologies The Complexity of Communities of Practice: A Duck-Billed Platypus? * Professional Learning Communities

14. Naava Frank, Ed.D. is committed to fostering collegial sharing for professional growth through the creation of Communities of Practice. In all of her work, she searches for new meaning and depth and for the many ways it can be shared . Knowledge Communities Helping Foundations and Non-Profits Build Communities that Share Knowledge Website: www.knowledgecommunities.org Phone: 617-864-2248 E-mail: [email_address] Knowledge Communities