Collaborative Communities and You

Image by MesserWoland

Via Wikimedia Commons Community of Practice Picture

A key function of collaborating is the ability to learn from your community. Every person is a part of a community. These communities may be based on where you live, the school you attend, your workplace, or even a hobby of yours. Communities of practice are one type of community. 

First, I asked myself, what do I consider a community of practice? Researching a little deeper, I found this video, explaining what a community of practice is. 

This week, the University of Arizona class, “Collaborating in Online Communities,” read an excerpt from Etienne Wenger, Richard Arnold McDermott, William Snyder’s book, titled Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge. Page 4 (see link) states, “Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis.” 

I think it is important to recognize that you can be a part of more than one community of practice. Personally, I am a part of a pageant community of practice, a dance community of practice, a religious community of practice, as well as a community of practice here on campus. I am continually collaborating both online and in person to gain knowledge, practice,  answer questions and receive answers, as well as act in a supporting role in these communities.

Communities of practice are sustained by people devoted to their work, seeking further knowledge. They give users a chance to share their knowledge and practices with which they are currently or previously engaged in. To be a successful community of practice, you need to collaborate with your fellow members. 

- Hannah Leigh Johnson