Use an example to discuss the importance of active participation in a community of practice (CoP). Discuss the pros and cons of online CoP vs. offline (traditional) CoP.
Efficient communities of practice have the potential to encourage knowledge sharing, learning, and change. This will improve a companies performance and competitiveness. Active participation in a CoP is needed in order for it to fulfill it's purpose of promoting learning, solving problems, or developing new ideas. The value that derives from a CoP hinges upon the input of knowledgeable, active, and committed members. Some CoP's will meet more regularly, while others may only interact on occasion. For example, if you view our class as a community of practice, it is important that each student participate in community as a whole. The more each student participates and contributes, the more value is created within the classroom community. If nobody were to write blogs, comment on blogs, or discuss our topics today, the entire class would not benefit or grow (not to mention fail!).
An online CoP has the benefit of uniting individuals across a much larger scale than a traditional CoP. This promotes collaboration across all divisions in a company, and helps the entity be quick-moving and focused in growth. This will also grow individual "spheres of influence" beyond what a traditional CoP is capable of. Online and offline CoPs will also have different needs and support activities. Specifically in the areas of management, technical infrastructure, and culture.
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When looking at both online and offline CoPs I think that it is important for the organizations not to forget about the traditional offline CoPs. While the online CoPs allow for greater and faster transfer of knowledge, face-to-face, human communication is sometimes needed.
ReplyDeleteIn the growing global economy the importance of on-line CoPs is growing exponentially. The sharing of information is also much faster with on-line CoPs because the capability and ease of transfering the knowledge. Offline CoPs have to set certain times, or dates, of which they groups will get together which is not always the easiest of tasks.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you..It is sometimes important to have face to face communication more than just online communities of practice.
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