Community of Learners

What makes up a community of learners? Is it the same for everyone? How does it work? What is it? So many questions, which is surprising considering no matter what vocation you are in, no matter where you are in your life, you are in some way in a learning community.

So What is it? Etienne Wenger describes it as;

"Since the beginning of history, human beings have formed communities that

share cultural practices reflecting their collective learning: from a tribe around

a cave fire, to a medieval guild, to a group of nurses in a ward, to a 

community of engineers interested in brake design. Participating in these 

'communities of practice' is essential to our learning. It is at the very core of

what makes us human beings capable of meaningful knowledge.

So as I see it, a learning community is a group of people who have come together around a shared passion or purpose, joining their knowledge, skills and expertise to learn together as they strive towards a shared goal. These people work together, contributing what they can, teaching and learning at the same time or ako. At times one may have to stand out to guide, direct, or educate but the success is dependent on the whole. This has long been an established human practice, the key today is fostering these communities as the needs are ever changing.

So lets look at this in practice, we'll use my role as Literacy Leader within my school. Our shared passion or purpose is to raise achievement within our school. Our principal is very passionate about this and works alongside the Literacy team discussing data, strategies and possible support or resources. The literacy team works together sharing knowledge, leading PLD's and supporting workshops. We also crunch the data, identifying strengths and areas for improvements. We then take this back to our teachers in our syndicates and pool our ideas, share where we need support and resources. Our BOT they come together and look at the report and ask, "How can we help?" Then we have our parents who ask the same question, "How can we help?" So we hold a writing workshop and we show them whats happening in class and we show them what they can do at home, using their expertise and knowledge. We hold another for reading.

All of these people, all of these actions form a community of learning. Each person is valued, each holds a piece of the puzzle, each shares the same passion for the shared purpose. They will contribute towards the purpose to the fullest of their capacity, "People adopt and adapt practices that they see used and valued by those closest to them, and they make these practices part of their own identity and expertise." (Ministry of Education, 2007)

As a mother, a daughter, a teacher or a student my community of learning changes and fluctuates. In some i may be an expert, in others I am learning seeking to link my understanding to that shared by others, therein building my expertise. Adapting to these changing roles and learning to listen and ask for help when i need it, helps me get the most out of my communities.

Who belongs to your community of learning? Are you fostering your communities to get the most from them?

Ministry of Education (2007) New Zealand Curriculum . Learning Media

Wenger,E. (2000) Communities of Practice and Social Learning Systems. Volume7(2): 225-246