P. Wesley, Virginia Buysse
tlooto Summary
The author surveys current literature on communities of practice and their potential development using networked technology and remote collaboration, specifically with respect to World Wide Web communication tools and proposes a case study, whose purpose is to observe the effects of an emerging community of practice within the designed environment of a virtual community.
Abstract
The field of early intervention continues to experience challenges in connecting theory and practice, reducing professional isolation, and translating principles into action. An examination of the way we perceive and enact professional roles reveals their limited scope in addressing these challenges. This article introduces the concept of expanding roles to include collaborative reflective inquiry within communities of practice as one way to reform professional practices. We suggest that reflection within communities of practice not only extends our own understanding, insight, and command of the situations in which we work, but also holds the potential to advance the field as a whole.
Citation format
WESLEY, P.; BUYSSE, Virginia. Communities of practice. TOPICS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION, 2001, 21: 114–123.