Utilizing Communities of Practice To Integrate Disciplines

1. Utilizing Communities of Practice To Integrate Disciplines Lorinda L. Coan, LDH, MS Indiana University School of Dentistry Ingrid Ritchie, PhD School of Public & Environmental Affairs Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis

2. What attracted you to this session? Abstract: It is challenging to continually create ways to link general education to specific disciplines. Communities of Practice have provided a forum for discussion to expand knowledge beyond program �silos.� This validates good ideas, and enriches members with the perspective of others. Join a table discussion of the �new teamwork� concept. Information will be shared relative to the formation and best practices of Communities of Practice. Start the presentation by having an open discussion from the group about why they�re here and what attracted them to sign up for this session compared to every other one that was offered�.Start the presentation by having an open discussion from the group about why they�re here and what attracted them to sign up for this session compared to every other one that was offered�.

3. After the session, participants should be able to: Define �communities of practice� Explain the IUPUI �principles of undergraduate learning� Understand the evolution of the formation of communities of practice at IUPUI Share individual school structures relative to cross-discipline practices Discuss strategies to incorporate general education goals to specific disciplines Modify discussed strategies to reflect �real world� application to one�s own institution

4. Communities of Practice (CoP) Overview:A cross-disciplinary approach that views learning as an act of membership in a "community of practice." It seeks to understand both the structure of the communities and how learning occurs within them. It includes �Basic Elements� Basic ElementsThe communities of practice concept was pioneered by the Institute for Research on Learning, a spin-off of the Xerox Corporation in Palo Alto, CA. The Institute pursues a cross-disciplinary approach to learning research, involving cognitive scientists, organizational anthropologists, and traditional educators. Basic ElementsThe communities of practice concept was pioneered by the Institute for Research on Learning, a spin-off of the Xerox Corporation in Palo Alto, CA. The Institute pursues a cross-disciplinary approach to learning research, involving cognitive scientists, organizational anthropologists, and traditional educators.

5. Basic Assumptions of CoPs Learning is fundamentally a social phenomenon. Knowledge is integrated in the life of communities that share values, beliefs, languages, and ways of doing things. The processes of learning and membership in a community of practice are inseparable. Knowledge is inseparable from practice. Empowerment--or the ability to contribute to a community--creates the potential for learning.