Structuring Online Study Groups to Build and Sustain Communities of Practice

• In Event: Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: Online Learning for Leadership Development

Abstract

The study examines the ways in which different configurations of learners create an effective “holding environment” intended to support and sustain mid-career and experienced scholar-practitioners in their quest to transform themselves, their organizations, and their communities. Preliminary findings about study group synchronous and asynchronous interactions describe learners’ descriptions of “communities of practice” strategies identified by Wenger (1998). Professionals used their study groups to solve problems, offer feedback, share experiences, identify gaps in knowledge, and develop synergy.

Author

• Michelle P. Collay, University of New England