Faculty Communities of Practice

What is a community of practice?

According to Etienne and Beverly Wenger-Trayner, established researchers in social learning theory, a community of practice is a group “of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” Communities of practice have been instituted globally as a high-impact professional learning activity.

Interested in Starting a Community of Practice?

Is there a teaching and learning topic that you have been wanting to explore with other interested faculty? If so, we would love to hear from you. We are seeking topics and facilitators.  The next round of Communities of Practice for the 2024/25 academic year will run during winter and spring terms. 

Let Us Know Your Interest

What will they look like at Chemeketa?

Many disciplines and programs already function as communities of practice. With that said, the Excellence in Teaching Task Force recommended that Chemeketa establish support for communities of practice as a high-impact professional development activity. The Task Force also expressed the hope that the college would facilitate cross-disciplinary groups. So, the Center for Academic Innovation is sponsoring up to three small groups with the following parameters.  

Members of a group will: 

  • Explore a topic related to teaching and learning together that aligns with the Excellence in Teaching competencies. 
  • Meet together for a minimum of six hours over the course of winter and spring terms to explore their chosen topic.
  • Apply what they learn to their current teaching practice.
  • Reflect upon what they learn.
  • Document their learning with an artifact, such as:
    • Slide deck presentation
    • Video commentary
    • Recorded course tour
    • Written reflection

The Center for Academic Innovation will:

  • Acquire up to $200 in reference materials per group if requested
  • Arrange meeting locations if requested
  • Provide facilitation if requested

Honoraria

  • Faculty members who fully participate in their group’s meetings and complete an artifact* that documents their learning will earn an honorarium equivalent to six hours at the special project rate.
  • Members of a group are encouraged to present their findings at the Fall Faculty Retreat. Two representatives from each group may earn an additional $150 honorarium for doing so.
  • The group facilitator may earn an additional six hours at the special project rate to manage meetings and keep records. 

 *The artifact must meet professional standards of clarity and attention to detail.

What are some possible topics a group could explore?

 Possible areas of inquiry include (but are not limited to):

  • Antiracist pedagogy
  • Assessment techniques
  • Contract grading
  • Gamification
  • Lesson Study
  • Universal Design for Learning

How Do I Join One?

Once we’ve identified topics and facilitators we will have a sign up form available.

The groups may meet anytime in winter and spring terms through June 27, 2025. We will partner with the facilitators to assess the groups’ impact and make process improvements for subsequent rounds.

Have additional questions? Contact the Center for Academic Innovation: academicinnovation@chemeketa.edu or 503.589.7710.

Professional DevelopmentFaculty Communities of Practice