Faculty Communities of Practice
What Is a Community of Practice?
A community of practice is a group of people who share a concern, interest, or passion and learn how to do something better through regular interaction.
According to social learning researchers Etienne and Beverly Wenger-Trayner, 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 are widely used as a high-impact approach to professional learning. They provide an opportunity to explore a topic with colleagues, learn from one another, and apply new ideas to teaching practice.
Start a Community of Practice
Is there a teaching and learning topic you’ve been wanting to explore with other faculty?
The Center for Academic Innovation is seeking topics and faculty facilitators for the next round of Communities of Practice. Groups will meet during winter and spring terms.
Communities of Practice at Chemeketa
Many disciplines and programs at Chemeketa already function as communities of practice. The Excellence in Teaching Task Force recommended that the college provide support for communities of practice as a high-impact professional learning opportunity. The Task Force also encouraged the development of cross-disciplinary groups.
Participants will
- Explore a teaching and learning topic that aligns with the Excellence in Teaching competencies.
- Meet for a minimum of six hours during winter and spring terms.
- Apply what they learn to their teaching practice.
- Reflect on their learning and its impact on their teaching.
- Document their learning in an artifact, such as:
- Slide presentation
- Video commentary
- Recorded course tour
- Written reflection
The Center for Academic Innovation will
- Provide up to $200 per group for reference materials, if requested.
- Arrange meeting space, if requested.
- Provide facilitation support, if requested.
- Work with facilitators to assess the group’s impact and identify improvements for future rounds.
Honoraria
Faculty who fully participate in their group’s meetings and complete an artifact documenting their learning will receive an honorarium equivalent to six hours at the special project rate.
Groups are encouraged to share their learning at the Fall Faculty Retreat. Up to two representatives from each group may receive an additional $150 honorarium for presenting.
A group facilitator may receive an additional six hours at the special project rate for organizing meetings, facilitating the group, and maintaining records.
Artifacts should meet professional standards for clarity and attention to detail.
Possible Topics
Communities of Practice can focus on any topic related to teaching and learning. Possible areas of inquiry include:
- Antiracist pedagogy
- Assessment practices
- Contract grading
- Generative AI
- Gamification
- Lesson Study
- Student motivation and resilience
- The science of learning
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
- The purpose of education
Have another topic in mind? We welcome your ideas.
How Do I Join a Community?
Once topics and facilitators have been identified, we will provide a sign-up form for faculty who are interested in participating.
Groups may meet at times that work for their members during winter and spring terms, through June.
Questions? Contact the Center for Academic Innovation at academicinnovation@chemeketa.edu or 503-589-7710.