Communities of Practice

Choi, M. Communities of practice: an alternative learning model for knowledge creation. British Journal of Educational Technology v. 37 no. 1 (January 2006) p. 143-6

The highlighted article (available via this link with an IU network ID and password) discusses the use of "communities of practice" (CoP) as a learning model for corporate training.  The author refers to a CoP as a group connected by "shared competence" and "mutual interest" where experience and knowledge is shared (and created) among team members versus conveyed by an instructor.  The author asserts that a CoP is an effective way to not only convey knowledge, but to also produce creative and valuable knowledge that is relevant to the employees and the company.

The report briefly discusses a CoP model used as an employee training program at Samsung Electronics in Korea and includes results of a survey of the Samsung CoP members. While the Samsung HR department facilitates participation and provides support (materials), the teams run independently with an elected leader and shared goals established by the team members.  The survey results provide insight into conditions that contribute to CoP success.  In order of rank, the following were listed as the top factors impacting the CoP activity:

1. Team member learning motivation
2. Creation of work-related knowledge and sharing of expertise in CoP participation
3. Relationship between outcome of CoP and performance
4. Trust among members
5. Leadership trait of team leader