Welcome to this Blog.
Over the next few weeks I will post comments and reflections on a number of resources concerning Communities of Practice, specifically looking at the drivers for their re(emergence).
Please feel free to add and comment as your contributions are what will make it worthwhile.
In my opinion, one of the most important drivers has been technology and the connectivity of the Internet. Humans are now free to do what they do best, leaving the mundane tasks to technology.
Social interaction (social capital) has been made even easier using Web 2.0, the semantic web, technology. This blog is an early example of technology driven connectivity. It is not static and can only be of use if it is accessed by and enhanced by other people.
People and their thirst for knowledge are the most important drivers of CoPs. They created CoPs before computer technology existed and they create the technology to advance communication an connectivity. A knowledge based CoP drives competitive advantage for survival of the fittest. It also values people, of every competency, as the owners of tacit knowledge changing the focus from an Industrial era of men 'as machines' to people valued for their diversity and intelligence.
Smith raises the issue that Lavers and Wenger are using this bottom-up model of Communities of Practice rather than the previous Knowledge Management, top -down model.
For debate- why do we then talk about trying to manage a CoP - surely this is the antithesis of a CoP?
Smith, M. K. (Ed.) (2003) Communities of Practice. The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved on 15/11/2007
3 comments:
Hi Joyce!
Because I'm in South Korea, the please join in instructions are in Korean. - It seems to happen automatically.
I can read and understand basic Korean and there isn't an option for English text.
Could location based on IP addresses be a hindrance to sharing information internationally?
Thanks for your reply lady and you raise a very important issue. It would seem that an international language is an important requirement for true connectivity and globalised, asynchrnous capability. English seems to be the major language of the Internet. Some people use automated translators. The Internet is developing its own language as well.One language results in homogeneity however. Multiple languages and cultures preserve diversity.
What do you think?
Joyce Arnold
I struggle with that issue constantly. I have to be aware of imperialism as an English teacher in Korea. Because of birth I speak the "business" language of the world. I assume that the internet should provide choice of language however, whoever designs the program, attaches the IP to the country of the IP origin. Clearly it isn't always the case as the peoples of the world mix more and more.
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