This week in CPsquare’s Foundations of Communities of Practice (CoP) workshop, Etienne Wenger will be facilitating our work around various domain issues, as we break down into smaller communities within the context of our larger community that comprises the workshop.We have already had a whirlwind week with hundreds of community postings. So many of our workshop participants seem so much mre outgoing and extroverted than I am, and while this may not be the case (just like many of our perceptions do not hold the entire story), I do feel a bit overwhelmed with so much activity.
This workshop is compised of a fascinating group of people, many of whom I hope to learn more about over the remaining 6 weeks, and I am very glad we will narrow things down a bit to begin working on whatever tasks we devise. With so many interesting backgrounds and such passion among the participants, I am now more intrigued about where we are going than when I started.
I wonder how many of them will ultimately plan to attend the Networked Learning Conference 2010, as a number of them already seem to be closer to Europe and Denmark than I am?
Im in a Doc program as well. i just wrote a reflection response about communities of practice and collaborative communities forming learning intersections. one of the hardest things I ever had to write about….
@Jess
Thank you for your comment and visit, Jess.
Tell me, what made this such a difficult thing to write about?
well, it was a reflection after a chapter reading from the a textbook called Principal as instructional leader…. the concept of Communities of Practice made sense, but describing examples of the learning intersection in the K-12 educ. setting was a bit abstract considering the chapter in the text didn’t really describe a clear definition. we hadn’t discussed it in class yet either. it was one of those, I think I know what they are talking about, but I’m not 100% sure moments. I ended up making sense of it and came up with three examples. it was a decent final product. It will be turned in tomorrow evening. I love to reflect and write my reflections for the sake of personal reflection. the research and theory part is something that I’m getting used to. I’ve just begun a few weeks ago, I’m definitely getting in the grove. the first few assignments are always a bit difficult as one is never sure the product is what the prof. wants. This is the first class I’ve taken where I’ve actually lost points on a reflective piece if it didn’t quote research and theory. It’s not supposed to be easy! 🙂 I am learning more than I ever have before!
I’ll e-mail it to you if it would help your cause….
@Jess
Yes, I agree that these things are not supposed to be easy. With personalities and agendas and egos and the profession (not to mention personalities, publishing, and cut-throat competition for the few under-paid jobs out there), and sometimes I wonder why people do this stuff at all!
Sounds like it must have been a challenge at times, especially when it is new material in a new program.
Tell me, what made you want to pursue doctoral studies at all?
It may not help my cause (as I have both many and none at all, depending on the time of day), but it will be interesting to read. Before I started work in non-profits and other large organizations, I taught for 10 years in the Catholic schools in NYC, so will be interesting to read your work given my experiences . . .
Jeffrey