Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Research in Teaching and Education
Year: 2024
DOI:
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The Power of Together: Insights into Members’ Perceived Benefits of a Teaching and Learning Community of Practice
Vienne Lin, Paul Lam
ABSTRACT:
The benefits of cultivating Communities of Practice (CoPs) are myriad. They have the potential to connect like-minded individuals, foster dialogue, enhance learning, and develop new understanding (Wenger, 1998). However, it can be challenging to review achievements and set goals that are critical for guiding next steps toward increased effectiveness and impact, especially when evaluation of the value creation in a CoP is glaringly absent (Wenger et al., 2002). To address the necessity of such evaluation, this study explores the impact of a Teaching and Learning Community of Practice (T&L CoP) situated within a research-intensive university in Hong Kong. As part of a larger research project, thirty-three members were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews to share their perspectives on how the T&L CoP supports their work. Qualitative data, including interview transcripts and summaries, were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019). These self-reported data were further corroborated with documents such as grant proposals, the project website, and archival materials. Three major perceived benefits are identified across the dataset. First, the T&L CoP provides continuous support through diverse resources and knowledge exchange. Second, the community offers timely meetings and consultations that stimulate reflective thinking. Third, the T&L CoP is regarded as a reliable and proactive convenor for driving change. Specifically, its welcoming reception encourages members to offer constructive suggestions and voice their requests. The paper concludes by illustrating how the data collected can inform the future development of the T&L CoP.
keywords: communities of practice, higher education, impact, teaching and learning