WebJunction

Online Communities of Practice
April 7, 2008

According to this definition, a community of practice is "[An] informal, self-organized, network of peers with diverse skills and experience in an area of practice or profession". Virtual communities of practice stem from emerging internet technologies, and their influence on knowledge management and innovation is well known. In the collaboration that occurs across community sharing, new knowledge is created, which can evolve a profession into exciting new territory. Has your engagement in your favorite communities been dwindling? Check out some resources to recharge your batteries:

• Recent Research on Virtual Communities. Read this comprehensive article that covers everything from forum behaviors (have you ever "flamed" a discussion board?) to building successful virtual community spaces.
• In Everything I Need to Know I Learned Online, WebJunction's own Chrystie Hill advocates the leverage of online communities amongst librarians in order to enrich our work and improve patron services.
• Library websites aren't just for the catalog. Read about Michael Habib's focus on creating community within library websites in this feature from the Member Spotlight Archives.
• Use the Community of Practice discussion space in All Aboard for discussing your experiences with developing, contributing, and learning from communities of practice.

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