Pathways to Collaboration

Developing an Online Community of Practice

Justine HughesThe Innovative E

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

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

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

Etienne Wenger explains...

“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

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

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

● 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

The Vital Role of Social Media

● Keep it simple and easy to access● Decide on your platforms

Benefits

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

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

Challenges

● Taking a FB page and attempting to create a community

● Global challenges - language, time zones, areas of interest / need

Initiatives to Date...

● Twitter Chat #ttchat● Facebook - changing focus● Te@chThought Online Community Wiki -

includes a discussion forum● Blogging Challenge

Coming up / Next phase..

● October - Connected Educator Month● Google Hangouts● Skype● Online Workshops

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’

● 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

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

A Final Thought...

The way we learn is changing. Everyone has knowledge to share.

Thank you!

Web: www.theinnovativee.comEmail: justine.hughes29@gmail.comBlog: http://k12motivation.blogspot.co.nz/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elearningbuzz14Google+: google.com/+JustineHughesTwitter: @cossie29DDI: (09)236 6790Mob: 0276 369559