Integrating Course Quality within a Community of Practice

2014 ◽  
pp. 415-434
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Sherman ◽  
Michelle Yener ◽  
Casey Price ◽  
Linda Grant ◽  
Karla Gable ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Course Development ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Senior Leaders ◽  
Course Quality ◽  
Core Group ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
New Ideas

Online institutions continue to seek quality guidelines related to effective course development and quality improvements. The struggle lies in getting support from institutional leaders to implement new ideas. While perseverance and serendipity always play a part when these efforts are successful, a few of Capella’s strategies were vital to their implementation of systematic course quality: 1. Selecting a course quality assurance partner that was a good fit, 2. Piloting the program for fit and to build experienced supporters, 3. Forming a core group that was accountable for the implementation, 4. Building a steering committee of senior leaders from across the institution, 5. Nurturing a community of practice with many avenues for genuine participation, and 6. Establishing and being held accountable for measurable goals. This case study describes Capella University’s implementation of a course quality system through a community of practice (CoP) model that facilitated genuine buy-in rather than top-down implementation.

scholarly journals A new renaissance for creativity in technology and the arts in the context of virtual worlds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Earnshaw
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Diverse Environment ◽  
Research Environments ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaborations ◽  
The Future ◽  
New Ideas

AbstractWhere do new ideas come from and how are they generated? Which of these ideas will be potentially useful immediately, and which will be more ‘blue sky’? For the latter, their significance may not be known for a number of years, perhaps even generations. The progress of computing and digital media is a relevant and useful case study in this respect. Which visions of the future in the early days of computing have stood the test of time, and which have vanished without trace? Can this be used as guide for current and future areas of research and development? If one Internet year is equivalent to seven calendar years, are virtual worlds being utilized as an effective accelerator for these new ideas and their implementation and evaluation? The nature of digital media and its constituent parts such as electronic devices, sensors, images, audio, games, web pages, social media, e-books, and Internet of Things, provides a diverse environment which can be viewed as a testbed for current and future ideas. Individual disciplines utilise virtual worlds in different ways. As collaboration is often involved in such research environments, does the technology make these collaborations effective? Have the limits of disciplinary approaches been reached? The importance of interdisciplinary collaborations for the future is proposed and evaluated. The current enablers for progressing interdisciplinary collaborations are presented. The possibility for a new Renaissance between technology and the arts is discussed.

Yankee Ingenuity in the South: James Burton and Confederate Ordnance Production

Vulcan ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-55
Author(s):  
Steven G. Collins
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Technological Diffusion ◽  
The South ◽  
Military Technology ◽  
American System ◽  
Harpers Ferry ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Connecticut Valley

This article examines the role of James Burton in the diffusion of military technology in the mid-19th century. Burton worked as the Master Armorer at the Harpers Ferry Armory, as a contractor in the Connecticut Valley, and as an engineer at the Enfield Armory. At each location he incorporated the latest ideas of the American System of Manufacturing. Not only did he transmit new ideas, he visited, studied, and learned from his international peers. When the American Civil War began, he joined the Confederate Ordnance Department and helped the South continue a long and destructive war. The new technological ideas—bred out of necessity of war—continued to help shape the creation of a New South. After the war, Burton influenced weapons manufacturing in Russia, Italy, Turkey, and Egypt. The ideas that Burton helped implement is a case study of international technological diffusion.

scholarly journals Socio-Cultural Development Approach to Investigate Teacher Learning across Two Contexts

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Hee-Jeong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Learning Community ◽  
Teacher Learning ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
Development Framework ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Development Approach

Teacher professional learning occurs across various contexts. Previous studies on teacher learning and changes in practice have focused on either classroom contexts or learning communities outside of school, but have rarely investigated teacher learning across multiple contexts. Investigating teacher learning across the double contexts of classroom and learning community has presented methodological challenges. In response, this paper proposes the suitability of adopting a socio-cultural development framework to further the analytical approach to such challenges. Using the framework, this paper considers the case study of a middle school mathematics teacher who resolved a problem of teaching practice through interacting with other members of the community of practice where they build shared goals and knowledge. This paper contributes to the field by expanding the scope of research on teacher learning across these two contexts, in which problem of practice becomes conceptual resources that the teacher uses in her teaching practice.

scholarly journals Quality function deployment: more than a design tool

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadiye Ozlem Erdil ◽  
Omid M. Arani
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Design Tool ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Quality Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Design Activities

Purpose This paper aims to investigate to what extent quality function deployment (QFD) can be used in quality improvement rather than design activities. Design/methodology/approach A framework was developed for implementation of QFD as a quality improvement tool. A case study approach is used to test this framework, and quality issues were analyzed using the framework in a ceramic tile manufacturing company. Findings The results showed considerable improvements in the critical quality characteristics identified and sales rates, demonstrating the potential of QFD to be used in assessing and prioritizing areas of improvement, and converting them into measurable process or product requirements. Research limitations/implications One case study was completed. More studies would be beneficial to support current findings. Practical implications This framework provides structured approach and guidelines for practitioners in adapting QFD for quality improvements in existing products or processes. Originality/value This study proposes a new framework to use QFD in quality improvement activities, expanding its application areas. Moreover, the results of the literature study performed provide a valuable collection of practical QFD implementation examples.

scholarly journals ANALISIS ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP DAN HAMBATAN PERTUMBUHAN USAHA DI UMKM PENGOLAHAN TAHU “RDS” SINGOSARI MALANG

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Aris Wahyu Tristanto ◽  
Ludi Wishnu Wardana
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Entrepreneurial Leadership ◽  
Data Collection Methods ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
The Future ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Collection Methods

This research was conducted to describe the entrepreneurial leadership of SMEs Tofu "RDS" and description about the obstacles experienced by SMEs Tofu "RDS". This research uses descriptive qualitative research design that aims to obtain the information available at this time, and then attempt to describe, record and interpret the information. Data collection methods used were interviews, observation and documentation. This type of qualitative research is case study. The result of the research is the condition of entrepreneurial leadership from the leadership of SMEs Tofu "RDS" is generally good because he is able to motivate employees well, have a picture of the future effort, able to read opportunities well, actively seeking new ideas, persistent in running their business And barriers faced by SMEs Tofu "RDS" can be overcome well by the leadership of SMEs Tofu RDS.

Using Blogs to Journal, Document, and Create Community

2013 ◽  
pp. 167-185
Author(s):  
Jennifer Munday
Keyword(s):  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Student Surveys ◽  
Assessment Task ◽  
Assessment Tasks ◽  
Positive Argument ◽  
Successful Execution ◽  
Supporting Materials

This chapter describes a case where learning and assessment were centered on the use of an online blog for sharing ideas; logging progressive details of an emerging artwork; providing supportive comments and advice from both teacher and fellow students; as well as, unexpectedly, creating a very strong community of practice. The case study discusses the reasons for choosing the blog tool, the features of the chosen blog tool, the elements of the assessment task, the outcomes of the learning activity, the supporting materials required for the successful execution of the task, and the responses to the task from the students through student surveys. Other issues this case study addresses are considering assessment tasks for the specific needs of students and assisting students who are reluctant about using technology. The chapter presents a positive argument for using a blog tool for reflective practice and students chronically documenting a progressive task.

Community of Practice Software Management Tools

2011 ◽  
pp. 112-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Jewell ◽  
Derek H.T. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Collaborative Study ◽  
Software Tool ◽  
Research Proposal ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
The Uk

This chapter provides insights from a large UK construction organisation case study where communities of practice have been supported through use of a software tool and management approach that encourages their spread across the organisation. We provide a descriptive characterisation of what the community of practice (COP) software tool does, how it evolved, and anecdotal evidence from interviews with its users of its value to the UK case study organisation. We recognise the need to investigate COP value generation more formally, and we have developed a research proposal to undertake further work in a collaborative study with industry to provide useful COP performance measures to be undertaken. This chapter provides valuable insights from several years’ reflection upon the tool’s use and application, and we highlight both drivers and barriers to its deployment. The objective was to provide a practical example of what COP management tools could and should address.

Creating a Multi-Company Community of Practice for Chief Information Officers

2011 ◽  
pp. 125-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Moran ◽  
Lee Weimer
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Practice ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Chief Information Officers ◽  
Information Technology Industry ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Technology Industry ◽  
Face To Face Learning ◽  
The Individual

This chapter presents a case study of the creation and evolution of a fee-based, multi-company Community of Practice (CoP) for Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in the San Francisco Bay Area over a six-year period. It describes the principles, processes and practices required to form and maintain a trust-based, face-to-face learning organization where members share accumulated knowledge. Additionally, it states some of the individual, collective and Information Technology industry benefits and results that have accrued from member participation in the CIO Community of Practice. The authors hope that the description of this CoP will foster the same sense of excitement for would-be practitioners that they feel.

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