Engaging Participation in Virtual Communities of Practice: Using Past Experiences to Influence Future Practices

• In Event: Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Division K Section 9 Poster Session: Teacher Education Program Design and Innovation

Abstract

This paper reports on an ongoing four-year study of an innovative, online professional development program in which teacher participants interact with one another and engage with high-quality content designed to improve standards-based instruction for English learners (ELs), via teachers’ participation in an online Community of Practice (CoP). The project brings together staff with expertise in EL education, educational technology, and program evaluation to create content, support teachers, and assess levels of participation and engagement in this virtual CoP. This presentation will describe the ways in which qualitative and quantitative findings from year one informed the project approach in year two, demonstrating how a reflective, iterative approach to project evaluation can increase project success and enhance teachers’ engagement in professional development.

Authors

• Shereen Bhalla, Center for Applied Linguistics

• Joanna Marie Duggan, Center for Applied Linguistics

• Christopher Frederick, Center for Applied Linguistics