Concept

Introduction ll Concept ll How CoPs work ll Forming a CoP

Wenger (2002) calls CoPs ‘shared histories of learning’ and defines them as groups of people who share a common concern and passion for something and learn how to do it better through their interactions. Thus Communities of practice tend to be organic and self-organising but need systems to function effectively to achieve their envisaged goals. There is evidence that CoP’s have significantly contributed towards facilitating changes in self learning, organizational cultures, creating collective learning and social capital around policy issues in the private, public and developmental sectors. 

Related Links:

• Introduction to Community of Practice, A powerpoint Presentation , used by SA PPLPP for persons interested in forming CoPs.
• Communities of practice: learning, meaning, and identity by Etienne Wenger - a book summary that explores the concept of community of practice and proposes a framework for thinking about learning in terms of communities and its impact on organizations and educational systems.
• Understanding informal institutions: Networks and communities in rural development by Chris High, Mark Pelling, and Gusztáv Nemes  - A paper drawing from new institutional economics and sociology that highlights the role of informal and cultural institutions in rural development.