Good CoPs and bad CoPs: facilitating reform in first-year assessment via a Community of Practice
Article
Article Title | Good CoPs and bad CoPs: facilitating reform in first-year assessment via a Community of Practice |
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ERA Journal ID | 20348 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Howlett, Catherine (Author), Arthur, James Michael (Author) and Ferreira, Jo Anne (Author) |
Journal Title | Higher Education Research and Development |
Journal Citation | 35 (4), pp. 741-754 |
Year | 2016 |
Publisher | Routledge |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0729-4360 |
1469-8366 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2015.1137881 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07294360.2015.1137881 |
Abstract | The idea and implementation of learning communities are gaining favour in higher education institutions. In particular, there are a number of successful examples to emerge of the application of the Community of Practice (CoP) framework proposed by Wenger [(1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Business School Press] for fostering a learning environment for academics around their teaching practice. In this paper, we describe and reflect on the efficacy of a CoP process that was implemented within our university. The purpose of this CoP was to provide a space for academics to focus on assessment practices for first-year courses and identify opportunities for professional development in this area. For a variety of reasons detailed in the paper, the efficacy of this CoP was limited, and we conclude that in the current higher education environment in Australia, success with CoP approaches to improve learning and teaching outcomes may prove limited. |
Keywords | Community of Practice; first-year assessment; institutional change; professional development; retention |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390499. Specialist studies in education not elsewhere classified |
390102. Curriculum and pedagogy theory and development | |
Byline Affiliations | Griffith University |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q647z/good-cops-and-bad-cops-facilitating-reform-in-first-year-assessment-via-a-community-of-practice
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