CoP: Getting Started 3

Forming a Community of Practice Based upon the work of Etienne Wenger Communities of Practice (COP) are 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. Website: –

IDEA Partnership: Another View of COP A Community of Practice (CoP) is quite simply a group of people that agree to interact regularly to solve a persistent problem or improve practice in an area that is important to them. A New Approach to Solving Complex Educational Problems – Cashman, J., Linehan, P., & Rosser, M. (2007). Communities of Practice: A new approach to solving complex educational problems. Alexandria, VA: National Association of State Directors of Special Education. –

The Community and its practice groups The community keeps the members focused on the big picture of behavioral health The practice groups keep the community sensitized to the dimensions of the issues Together, the community and the practice groups: – make connections – invite participation – create and share knowledge – change practice!!! 4

COPs involve sharing.... vision passion decision making problem solving knowledge language commitment work 5

COPs are not successful because of like-minded people, they are successful because of shared passion. 6

3 Critical Elements to a COP Reference: Etienne Wenger The Domain – A “shared identify” that unifies the community The Community – Members building relationships & helping each other. Members engaging in shared dialogues, activities, and information and resource sharing. The Practice – Practitioners with a shared repertoire of resources that interact for a shared purpose. 7

5 Critical Functions Reference: Etienne Wenger Educate – Collecting and disseminating information related to problems of practice Support – Provide a method for communicating and interacting (eg. Wiki worksite, Sharedwork.org, etc.) Cultivate – Assist a group in “getting going” and sustaining a positive “rhythm of interaction” Encourage – Promote the work and accomplishments of the community by talking about the work Integrate – Involve and integrate the community work in the policies and decision-making of the organization 8