A Community of Practice (CoP), a concept first developed by cognitive anthropologists Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, establishes a framework for informal communities that come together with shared goals of learning and solving problems.

CoPs share three characteristics: 

• A shared domain of interest, competence and commitment, which creates common ground between its members.
• Collective learning as a community through joint activities, discussions, problem solving, information sharing and relationship building.
• The construction of a collective repertoire of ideas and resources for members to bring back to their practice in their domain of interest.¹

Every CoP is different and its activities are determined by its members' goals. Those activities may include:

• Sharing expertise, resources and strategies.
• Advocating for shifts in priorities.
• Supporting work in areas of interest.
• Developing community resources.
• Engaging in professional development as a community.
• Addressing a particular issue or problem.

Current CoPs

Generative AI and Teaching Community of Practice

A CoP open to Memorial faculty and instructors, staff and graduate students interested in the impact of generative AI on teaching and learning in higher education. Meets regularly (hybrid format). For more information or to join, contact educatordev@mun.ca.

Graduate Student Teaching Community of Practice

A student-led group for graduate students to discuss, troubleshoot and share their experiences working as teaching assistants (TAs) and per-course instructors (PCIs) or other teaching-related opportunities. For more information or to join, contact educatordev@mun.ca or visit their page.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Community of Practice

An open CoP for anyone interested in advancing inclusive teaching through Universal Design for Learning. This community brings together educators, community members and students across institutions and sectors to share ideas, explore strategies and support one another in designing accessible, equity-oriented learning environments. Meetings are held regularly in a hybrid format. For more information or to join, contact agoulden@mun.ca or visit their site.

Want to create a new CoP?

If you want to create a new Community of Practice, these resources may help:

• Introduction to communities of practice (Wenger-Trayner)
• Community of Practice - Everything you need to know! (Research Impact Canada)
• Creating Communities of Practice (Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium)

To include contact information for your CoP on this page, please email educatordev@mun.ca.

(1) Etienne Wenger, Richard McDermott, & William Snyder, Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge, Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 2002.