Facilitating a Community of Practice
Do you keep hearing the term “community of practice” and wonder what it really means?
by Tracey West
Do you keep hearing the term “community of practice” and wonder what it really means? If so, you’re not alone. The term “community of practice” is used to refer to a group of people with similar goals that come together (in person or virtually) to learn and collaborate. A community can range from staff development teams to formal study groups to informal learning communities.
The National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI) has defined the purpose of a Community or Practice as: “to improve practice by: engaging in shared inquiry and learning with people who have a common goal, and implementing that learning.”
To help your community move in this direction, take a look at the Communities of Practice Indicators Worksheet. It may provide ideas for moving forward, together, toward your common goal.
