critical reflections on building a community of practice about ict-enabled learning and teaching at...

Critical Reflections on Building a Community of Practice about ICT-enabled Learning and Teaching at

CSU

Dr Philip Uys

Charles Sturt University, AustraliaDirector, Strategic Learning and Teaching Innovation

Division of Learning and Teaching Services <puys@csu.edu.au>

27th November 2009

http://www.wix.com/blue100/Fli-Dialogue

How would one go about supporting the growth of a

university-wide Community of Practice (CoP) about ICT-enabled

Learning and Teaching?

Question

• The three dimensions of a CoP are the domain (body of knowledge), community (relationships) and practice (professional activity) The domain of this CoP is information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled learning and teaching at CSU. The professional practice of this CoP is learning and teaching with ICTs and supporting such teaching with extensive professional development, educational design, and the provision of ICTs.

• Community of Practice (CoP) re ICT-enabled learning and teaching at CSU existed before 2007 informally, and operated mostly within schools/faculties

• Collaboration strategies then: brown-bag meetings and committees within schools and faculties

Introduction

CSU is committed to ICT-enabled learning and teaching within a flexible and blended learning framework

Introduction

J

Para-analysis

(Buchan, 2009 , in press)

Para-analysis

Learner engagement & interactivity

• LTS dedicated to extend the support, functionality and range of appropriate ICTs

• Successful change management for technological transformation requires integrated top-down and bottom-up strategies like the further growth of a CoP around ICT-enabled learning and teaching.

Introduction

Institution wide

• CoP f2f strategies: CSUED 2006, 2008, 2009; extensive professional development, corridor conversations, brown-bag meetings in schools/faculties

• CoP electronic strategies: wide communications; the development of a CSU Interact project site "about ICT integration" which grew to 539 members

Institution wide

http://interact.csu.edu.au/

2009: Blended learning in an institution-wide CoP - three specific strategies were introduced in 2009

• 1. university-wide video-conference forums to facilitate face-to-face experiences (around 50 participants) The theme of the first Forum in June was “Evaluating learning with ICT, and Evaluation ICT use in learning and assessment”; the theme of the second forum in August was "Imaginative online content“ and the third forum in November was “ePortfolios”; about 12 video-conference facilities were used

• 2. micro-blogging to support CSU wide “corridor”-type conversations : Yammer site that now has 205 members

• 3. re-building a learning design showcase of learning and teaching with ICTs. Stories in wiki and then transferred to website. Presentations at the AuSakai09 and CSUED09 conferences will further be considered for the showcase, as well as learning designs that already exist in faculty showcases.

Blended learning in a CoP

www.yammer.com

www.yammer.com

Open area

Showcase

• social presence (f2f interactions + Yammer)• organisational culture (need to be encouraging)• The Sakai open source system links CSU with the

international Sakai technical and user community which is critical for being up to date with Sakai developments, for more efficient computer code developments and professional development and for contributing back to the community. Linking the CSU CoP internationally!

Presence and culture

Adrian Bromage (2006)

i. Mutual educationii. Collegiate approachiii. High quality evidenceiv. Spirit of open debate

Unique aspects of change in educational organisations

Presence and culture

Future

This CoP can provide rich learning experiences, collaborative professional practice possibilities and synergies.

We aim to continue to support the growth of this CoP through the provision and blending of appropriate technologies, providing encouragement to participants and linking University activities.

How can one further enhance and support this Community of Practice (CoP)

about ICT-enabled Learning and Teaching?

Question

The biggest temptation is to settle for too little

Thomas Merton

Thank YouDr Philip Uys

Charles Sturt University, AustraliaDirector, Strategic Learning and Teaching Innovation

Division of Learning and Teaching Services <puys@csu.edu.au>

http://www.wix.com/blue100/Fli-Dialogue

Wenger, E., McDermott, R., and Snyder, W. 2002. Cultivating communities of practice: a guide to managing knowledge. Harvard Business School Press, Boston

Bromage, A. (2006). The Management of Planned Change: An interdisciplinary perspective. In Hunt, L., Bromage, A. and Tomkinson, B. (Eds.). (2006). The Realities of Change in Higher Education: Interventions to Promote Learning and Teaching. London: Routledge.