C.Marcellus Griffin Blogpost 4 Community of Practice

C.Marcellus Griffin's Blogpost 4-  Communities of Practice

In today's blogpost, I want to remind everyone that, as educational leaders, we must remember that we do not know everything.  In fact, it is perfectly acceptable to be a part of a Community of Practice.

Communities of Practice: groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly (Wenger-Treyner, 2012).

In order to have a Community of Practice, you must have three essentials:  

1.  A Domain

2.  A Community

3.  Practitioners

By "domain", I am referring to the terministic screening or "shared competence" that must exist in order for members of the Community of Practice to have an informed discourse.  Nurses, pharmacists, computer technology experts, etc., all have a shared competence which allows them to speak intelligently with one another within their respective professions.

The word "communities" suggest that there must be time for members of the group to get together to share concerns, ideas, best practices, etc.  This is very important, in establishing a Community of Practice.  During these meetings, members share notes, ask for advice, ask for templates, etc.  The meetings provide an insulated, safe place for this sharing to occur.  

The word "practitioner" simply implies that the members of the Community of Practice must be active practitioners, as opposed to folks who happen to be knowledgeable in the area.  In order for them to be competent within their field and in order to be helpful to their colleagues, the members of the Community of Practice must be "on the floor", as opposed to " in the stands".  Former practitioners are not regarded as being a part of a Community of Practice, by definition.

Communities of Practice are known by other names, such as thematic groups or tech groups, but the concept is the same:  Practitioners working together for mutual benefit within their field.  

-C. Marcellus Griffin