scholarly journals Emerging from the third space chrysalis: Experiences in a non-hierarchical, collaborative research community of practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 135-158
Author(s):  
Ed Bickle ◽  
◽  
Silvina Bishopp-Martin ◽  
Ursula Canton ◽  
Paul Chin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Collaborative Research ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Third Space ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Institutional Constraints ◽  
Professional Collaboration ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Virtual Community Of Practice ◽  
Personal Reflections

This article discusses the creation of a research-focused virtual community of practice (vCoP) for geographically-dispersed third space professionals, motivated by desires for enhanced professional collaboration, visibility and identity. The authors used collaborative autoethnography (CAE) to evaluate their personal reflections as vCoP participants. Data were gathered in two collaborative writing activities and analysed using thematic analysis (TA). The TA identified two connected themes, which capture the vCoP members’ aspirations to transcend their current roles and be research-active through connecting with like-minded professionals. Collaborative writing activities, including authoring this paper, cultivated elements of academic identity such as independence and purpose. A non-hierarchical and supportive vCoP environment allowed the members to work beyond time and institutional constraints to foster the evolution of the community and an emerging sense of professional identity beyond that typically associated with third space roles. The paper offers a model of collaboration that could help groups in similar situations.

Developing a Virtual Interdisciplinary Research Community in Clinical Education: Enticing People to the “Tea-Room”

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Butson ◽  
Paul Hendrick ◽  
Martin Kidd ◽  
Martin Brannstrom ◽  
Martin Hedberg
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Clinical Education ◽  
Initial Phase ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Virtual Community Of Practice ◽  
System Logs ◽  
Online Behaviour

Background: Many interdisciplinary collaborative research programs in the health sector are adopting the community of practice concept within virtual environments. This study explores the factors that affect the members of a geographically dispersed group of health professionals in their attempt to create an interprofessional Virtual Community of Practice (VCoP) from which to promote clinical education research.Method & Findings: A survey was used to determine participants’ degree of computer competency. System logs recorded members’ access details and site activity. Member perceptions and beliefs were established using focus groups. While members stated they were enthusiastic about the VCoP, the primary use was viewing. Their online behaviour indicated that on average it took six visits to generate a post. This suggests a stronger focus on viewing (consumption of) information than on contributing (construction of) information.Conclusions: We believe it is crucial for members to contribute during the initial phase of any pre-structured VCoP in order to overcome the consumption-construction dilemma. It is during this initial phase that members will decide on the community’s value. If the community cannot offer added value, members who engage are likely to consume for a time and then leave.

scholarly journals A Virtual Community of Practice to Introduce Evidence-based Pedagogy in Chemical, Materials, and Biological Engineering Courses

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Farrell ◽  
Stephen Krause ◽  
Nancy Ruzycki ◽  
Amber Genau ◽  
Brittany Nelson-Cheeseman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Biological Engineering ◽  
Virtual Community Of Practice ◽  
Chemical Materials

Abstract W P274: Developmental Evaluation Enhances Utility of the Toronto Stroke Networks Virtual Community of Practice

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Fortin ◽  
Krystyna Skryabka ◽  
Gail Avinoam ◽  
Shelley Sharp ◽  
Jacqueline Willems ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Evaluation Framework ◽  
Developmental Evaluation ◽  
Virtual Community Of Practice ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
Value Add

Background: The Toronto Stroke Networks (TSNs) Virtual Community of Practice (VCoP) was developed to connect stroke healthcare providers (HCPs), enhance professional and organizational stroke expertise, foster implementation of best practices, and improve patient outcomes in stroke care. The VCoP is a secure social media platform fostering cross system interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Purpose: To use formative developmental evaluation to inform further improvement of the VCoP’s content and performance and to measure its efficacy as a KT tool to support IPC. Methods: An evaluation framework was developed based on “Promoting and assessing value creation in communities and networks” (Wengar, 2011). Stroke HCPs from 15 organizations in the TSNs were provided VCoP training to build virtual competence and to seek feedback for enhanced utility. The TSNs Education and KT Implementation Plan for 2013-2014 integrated activities that encourage VCoP use. These activities include co-development of educational material across sites, information sharing between meetings, and to support implementation of specific activities. Qualitative (e.g. value stories, narratives) and quantitative indicators (e.g. membership and usage) data are evaluated. Results: The TSNs VCoP currently has: 287 members and 26 groups (open and private groups with 4-19 members). There are 8 interprofessional discussions, with a total of 20 pre-populated and requested forums. Feedback from the membership has prompted investments to improve search features and identification of members within the site for more efficient collaborations. Uploading of Provincial Stroke Rounds, provision of a Research and Knowledge Translation Widget, and securing a space for HCPs to submit recommended presentations were added to increase the value-add of the site as a one-stop shop for Stroke HCPs seeking stroke care information. Qualitative analysis of value stories demonstrating the efficacy of the VCoP for IPC is in progress and will be available at time of publishing. Conclusions: The VCoP is an innovative approach to enhancing the system of stroke care. This formative developmental evaluation approach has enhanced the utility of the VCoP as a source for stroke information and HCP connections.

Sociotechnical Theory and Communities of Practice

2009 ◽  
pp. 78-81
Author(s):  
Andrew Wenn
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Interorganizational Communication ◽  
Virtual Community Of Practice ◽  
Sociotechnical Theory ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Social Entities

Communities of practice (CoPs), by their nature, are social entities. Such communities may be large or small, geographically dispersed or located within a confined region. Essentially, communities of practice consist of members who chose to come together because they have a passionate dedication to sharing knowledge and a desire to develop their own and other’s capabilities (Wenger & Snyder, 2000). No matter what type of CoP (collocated or virtual; intra or interorganizational) communication is one of the prime desiderata. Thus, it is highly likely that technology of some form will be involved. For instance, a virtual community of practice may use e-mail or a more sophisticated groupware application to keep in touch. CoPs within a knowledge management environment will certainly have access to technology. To understand the workings of such communities requires a theory that enables us to deal at the levels of the individual, the group, and the larger world in which the community is embedded (Lave, 1988). Any such theory must be able to account for the role of technology within the community as well as its social aspects.

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