http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/cop/definitions.shtml
From this article, we can get some definition of community of practice. When we first know a topic, we have to know what the definition of this topic is, we can start our research. Because of this reason, I search some materials about the definitions of community of practice.
First, Bonding by exposure to common problems.
There are many shades of definition of this concept, but the author define it as "a group of professionals, informally bound to one another through exposure to a common class of problems, common pursuit of solutions, and thereby themselves embodying a store of knowledge."
Secondly, Common practices and language
"Communities of Practice" is a phrase coined by researchers who studied the ways in which people naturally work and play together. In essence, communities of practice are groups of people who share similar goals and interests. In pursuit of these goals and interests, they employ common practices, work with the same tools and express themselves in a common language. Through such common activity, they come to hold similar beliefs and value systems.
Thirdly, Commons sense of purpose
There are many communities of practice within a single company, and most people belong to more than one of them. Most of us belong to more than one, and not just on the job: the management team; the engineers, some in your company and some not.
Fourthly, Members evolve more creative practice
A community of practice is "a diverse group of people engaged in real work over a significant period of time during which they build things, solve problems, learn and invent...in short, they evolve a practice that is highly skilled and highly creative."
Last but not least, from water coolers to commitment. More than a "community of learners," a community of practice is also a "community that learns." Not merely peers exchanging ideas around the water cooler, sharing and benefitting from each other's expertise, but colleagues committed to jointly develop better practices.
2008年12月11日 星期四
2008年12月3日 星期三
Revised Exam Essays
The article was “From tripod to Comes: A new metaphor for the language arts”, which had published in English Journal and was written by Baines, L. A.
Those years, some projects of writing have changed their focus on writing instructions from finished products to the processes of planning, composing, revising, and publishing. By doing this students can have the chance to meet different readers. Sometimes when students wrote articles they would forget that they have to satisfy different readers. Even though not all people would accept your ideas, students still have to do their best to convey what they want to tell their readers.
Teachers also can let students to write some different aims for different students. Those students would understand what they focus on.
Most advocates of writing would seem this as an individual conference and students can share what they have found in the classroom to their classmates. Through discussing, students can get other people’s ideas, and they can know that how to modify their own articles. Maybe students also can get inspirations through brainstorming. And because many students didn't read many literary forms, then teachers would like to show their materials in many different ways to help students better understand. By reading more and extensively, students can get what they have to get.
And we can not deny that the computers have become one of our teaching materials. Most newly teachers would teach their students with the help of the computers and students can also do writings in the computers. The teachers of composition may provide environment and media such as film, television, Internet, and CD-ROM. By the way, teachers also have to guide students how to use computers in the right way. And teach them how to use those resources. Because not all the resources in the computer are suitable for students, then teachers have to help them strain.
I think I agree some of the topics in this article. When we write articles we have to know what we want to tell our readers, and how to make our articles in organizations. We also need to know how to support our ideas, using some convincing evidence. During our process of writing, we have to know how to progress our articles gradually. And we can not only write, sometimes we can make some different forms to present our compositions. For example, we can try to write some poems or the life experience that we want to share with our readers. Very free, and we do not have to care much.
As Baines said, Computers do already become one of our important resources of learning. We do a lot of learning by computers. But we also have to have instructors to teach us, because there are so many resources in the Internet, not only excellent ones but some bad information. We have to learn how to choose those materials we can get. That’s why we need instructors, because not every student can differentiate what they have got from computers.
In my opinions, computers do help me during the journey of my English learning. For example I would use the Internet to listen to the English radios, such as Advanced and ICRT. As a student in English department, we always have to collect materials for my homework. And now I can not only go to the library but also search by the Internet. It is more convenient now.
Those years, some projects of writing have changed their focus on writing instructions from finished products to the processes of planning, composing, revising, and publishing. By doing this students can have the chance to meet different readers. Sometimes when students wrote articles they would forget that they have to satisfy different readers. Even though not all people would accept your ideas, students still have to do their best to convey what they want to tell their readers.
Teachers also can let students to write some different aims for different students. Those students would understand what they focus on.
Most advocates of writing would seem this as an individual conference and students can share what they have found in the classroom to their classmates. Through discussing, students can get other people’s ideas, and they can know that how to modify their own articles. Maybe students also can get inspirations through brainstorming. And because many students didn't read many literary forms, then teachers would like to show their materials in many different ways to help students better understand. By reading more and extensively, students can get what they have to get.
And we can not deny that the computers have become one of our teaching materials. Most newly teachers would teach their students with the help of the computers and students can also do writings in the computers. The teachers of composition may provide environment and media such as film, television, Internet, and CD-ROM. By the way, teachers also have to guide students how to use computers in the right way. And teach them how to use those resources. Because not all the resources in the computer are suitable for students, then teachers have to help them strain.
I think I agree some of the topics in this article. When we write articles we have to know what we want to tell our readers, and how to make our articles in organizations. We also need to know how to support our ideas, using some convincing evidence. During our process of writing, we have to know how to progress our articles gradually. And we can not only write, sometimes we can make some different forms to present our compositions. For example, we can try to write some poems or the life experience that we want to share with our readers. Very free, and we do not have to care much.
As Baines said, Computers do already become one of our important resources of learning. We do a lot of learning by computers. But we also have to have instructors to teach us, because there are so many resources in the Internet, not only excellent ones but some bad information. We have to learn how to choose those materials we can get. That’s why we need instructors, because not every student can differentiate what they have got from computers.
In my opinions, computers do help me during the journey of my English learning. For example I would use the Internet to listen to the English radios, such as Advanced and ICRT. As a student in English department, we always have to collect materials for my homework. And now I can not only go to the library but also search by the Internet. It is more convenient now.
Midterm
Those years, some projects of writing have changed their focus on writing instruction from finished products to the processes of planning, composing, revising, and publishing. Teacher can let students to write some different aims for different students. Those students would understand what they focus on.
Most advocates of writing would seen this as a individual conference and students can share what they have found in the classroom to their classmates .Because many students didn't read much literary forms, then teachers would like to show their materials in many different ways to help students better understand.
And we can not deny that the computer has become one of our teaching materials. Most newly teachers would teach their students with the help of the computers and students can also do writings in the computers. By the way ,teachers also have to guide students how to use computers. And teach them how to use those resources.
I think I agree some of the topics in this article, because computers do already become one of our important resources of learning. We do a lot of learns by the computer. But we also have to have an instructor to teach us, because there are so many resources in the Internet, not only excellent help but some bad information. We have to learn how to choose those materials we can get.
Beside the Internet, we can also use computers to see film, television. By those videos, we can get some inspiration. We can use computers to see a movie, than maybe this movie would change our life. Or we can get the chance to see a perfect article that may change our thinking, and we can also learn how the writer wrote this article. Later days, when we write articles or compositions, we can quote some of their thinking to make our article more beautiful. But remember do not copy.
Most advocates of writing would seen this as a individual conference and students can share what they have found in the classroom to their classmates .Because many students didn't read much literary forms, then teachers would like to show their materials in many different ways to help students better understand.
And we can not deny that the computer has become one of our teaching materials. Most newly teachers would teach their students with the help of the computers and students can also do writings in the computers. By the way ,teachers also have to guide students how to use computers. And teach them how to use those resources.
I think I agree some of the topics in this article, because computers do already become one of our important resources of learning. We do a lot of learns by the computer. But we also have to have an instructor to teach us, because there are so many resources in the Internet, not only excellent help but some bad information. We have to learn how to choose those materials we can get.
Beside the Internet, we can also use computers to see film, television. By those videos, we can get some inspiration. We can use computers to see a movie, than maybe this movie would change our life. Or we can get the chance to see a perfect article that may change our thinking, and we can also learn how the writer wrote this article. Later days, when we write articles or compositions, we can quote some of their thinking to make our article more beautiful. But remember do not copy.
2008年11月6日 星期四
Reflections
After the conference, I think that my topic communties of practice is something like participation. And COP can not only practiced in the companies bu also schools. But there a little difference between them.
First,when we discuss something in school, it is more like chatting. And we would not care how much time we spend. But in firms, we did care about efficiency. We have to carry out a profitable case for the firms.
Second,during the discussion. Sometimes, some people can not find their position then they may think they are not in the nucleus. Because of this, some people would think they are not important, they may give up what they have to do, or do this carelessly. From this, we can know that when we held a discussion we have to tell everybody what they have to do definitely and let them know that everyone of them are important to this disscussion!
In fact,no matter what we do,we have to participate with our all heart, even though we are not in the nucleus.
First,when we discuss something in school, it is more like chatting. And we would not care how much time we spend. But in firms, we did care about efficiency. We have to carry out a profitable case for the firms.
Second,during the discussion. Sometimes, some people can not find their position then they may think they are not in the nucleus. Because of this, some people would think they are not important, they may give up what they have to do, or do this carelessly. From this, we can know that when we held a discussion we have to tell everybody what they have to do definitely and let them know that everyone of them are important to this disscussion!
In fact,no matter what we do,we have to participate with our all heart, even though we are not in the nucleus.
2008年10月30日 星期四
Community-of-Practice and Creativity: Theory & Implication
Sy-Feng Wang,Kai-Ming Chen(2002,DEC.)Community-of-Practice and Creativity: Theory & Implication.[Electronic version]. 社會教育學刊.
CoP is still confusing in Taiwan, so Ministry of education starts a plan about how to make innovation and knowledge management connected with community of practice. Creativity and innovation have become more and more important, if you are a guy with those talents, you have the advantage to compete with others. But the education in Taiwan now seems not put much emphasis on social education, this make our children know how to study but do not know how to jump out from books. Due to this reason and the force of globalization, CoP is used to stimulate our total creativity and innovation capability.
Many multi-national companies have used CoPs to develop their advantages of competition. Although enterprises are an important part in our society, we can not let our children to know how to progress their ability of social education until they go to the society. It is too cruel and late to know.
When we are in schools, we have to know what things happened around the world, and we have to make our knowledge renew everyday, so we have to keep learning new ideas. This article takes P&G as an example. P&G uses community of practice as a way to identify and expand their new way of research and development. CoP play an important role in this company.
However teams and communities are two things, communities can be used on the Internet, that is to say, on the virtual way. For example, electronic community and Network Learning Community, so we students can get on the Internet and take a look at those communities and even join in. by joining those communities, we can make friends from many different countries and learn what we can not learn in schools.
CoP is still confusing in Taiwan, so Ministry of education starts a plan about how to make innovation and knowledge management connected with community of practice. Creativity and innovation have become more and more important, if you are a guy with those talents, you have the advantage to compete with others. But the education in Taiwan now seems not put much emphasis on social education, this make our children know how to study but do not know how to jump out from books. Due to this reason and the force of globalization, CoP is used to stimulate our total creativity and innovation capability.
Many multi-national companies have used CoPs to develop their advantages of competition. Although enterprises are an important part in our society, we can not let our children to know how to progress their ability of social education until they go to the society. It is too cruel and late to know.
When we are in schools, we have to know what things happened around the world, and we have to make our knowledge renew everyday, so we have to keep learning new ideas. This article takes P&G as an example. P&G uses community of practice as a way to identify and expand their new way of research and development. CoP play an important role in this company.
However teams and communities are two things, communities can be used on the Internet, that is to say, on the virtual way. For example, electronic community and Network Learning Community, so we students can get on the Internet and take a look at those communities and even join in. by joining those communities, we can make friends from many different countries and learn what we can not learn in schools.
2008年10月20日 星期一
What is NAAE's Communities of Practice?
This video is mainly talking about a community of practice in the Internet called NAAE. The narrator is a teacher, so she took educators as an example. She said educators had questions, problems, and great ideas, but they don’t have many channels to share or ask for help. NAAE created a place in the Internet for educators ask each other questions, post resources they want to share , help connect each educator.
We all know whatever questions or problems we have , there probably another educator there who has answer or advice. But without NAAE CoP, they don’t know who you are and when you need help. Through NAAE community of practice, they can get together, and discuss together. It is organized, so it’s easy for you to find what you want.
The narrator, Carol, a high school teacher, she has taught for four years. She wants to open some new classes not in her speciality-planting, she wants to know how to teach well, and not let her students in chaos. But she can’t anybody to help her by her side. Then she thinks of community of practice. She posts questions there. In NAAE, she finds so many materials about planting , there are so many advices , and someone even upload worksheets, which Carol can share with the whole class. Because of this, she does a great job in the class. After a semester, she even sets up her own blog for planting.
Even though this video is very like advertising, it reminds us how importance community of practice is. Through our life, no matter what careers we take, we all have problems to ask. Therefore, community of practice in the Internet is a good way for us to let our questions have answers, we can also get other people’s experience, later we can even share our own experience. And in the Internet, those people are from so many different countries. We would not limit ourselves in one corner, special life experience can make our life more colorful.
After watching the video, I have checked the Internet, NAAE.( http://naae.ca.uky.edu:8080/clearspace_community/index.jspa). It is a really fantastic website. So many different regions are posted, it seems like no matter what your question is, you can find your answers there, so when you have problems, go ahead and have a try.
2008年10月9日 星期四
Research and Annotations
Bored? Looking for a new challenge?
You can watch basketball, baseball, track, gymnastics, tennis, aerobics, volleyball, and weight lifting on ESPN, or you can get out and enjoy them by joining your school team. Not into team sports? There's French club, the debating team, chess club, student government, radio, newspaper, yearbook, environmental club, 4-H, drama, choir, photography, Students Against Destructive Decisions, jazz band, Business Professionals of America, computer club, and more.
So many choices can seem overwhelming, but getting involved in new activities with new people is a fun way to challenge yourself. Here are some basics and benefits of getting involved.
Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
So what's in it for you? You get to explore your physical, creative, social, political, and career interests with like-minded people. You'll find friends: Trying something different may bring you in contact with people you didn't know who share your interests and curiosity.
You can get involved with groups as a way to get support from other students with your background, such as Latino or Jewish clubs. A club or group also can be a great way to meet people who are different from you. Lots of youth programs bring people together with those who are different as a way to break down the barriers between people. Mark, a senior who lives in Washington, DC, discovered this when he volunteered for a group that uses baseball as a way to bring special-education kids and kids with disabilities together with regular kids.
Participating in extracurricular activities helps you in other ways, too: It looks good on college and job applications and shows admissions officers and employers you're well-rounded and responsible. Specific activities help with specific goals — if you want to teach language or get a bilingual job, being the president of the Spanish club shows the depth of your commitment.
The most basic reason for joining a club or team is that it gives you something better to do than staring at the wall, wandering the hall, or napping all afternoon. People who are involved and engaged are less likely to become addicted to bad habits, like smoking or drinking.
Finding the Right Activity for You
Review the activities your school offers and listen to other students' experiences to find an activity that meets your needs. Think about your interests, abilities, and time — is your sister tired of playing chess with you? Do you wish you had more computer time? Are you tired of shooting hoops alone? Are you looking to meet friends or get support? Do you need to increase the appeal of your college application? Don't limit yourself to the familiar — try something new.
Think about different roles within groups that you might want to try — president, captain, participant, leader, support person. Each role is important. Being president teaches you leadership and management skills, but involves more responsibility; being a member gives you structure and is less stressful. You can also lend your skills in areas that are needed, such as using your financial skills to be a group's treasurer.
How to Get Involved
At the beginning of the school year, teachers and principals often have a list of activities to join or make announcements — for example, your history teacher may be the debating team advisor. Look on school bulletin boards and in the school newspaper. Ask friends what they like. Join right away or wait to see how your schedule will be and join later.
Ask questions of the activity advisor before you join. Some things to ask include:
Age. You may have to be a certain age or in a certain grade to join an activity.
Fees. Do you have to pay to join? How much? Are there fees for outings, uniforms, costumes, or other expenses? You may be required to help raise money.
Physical. If you're joining a team, you may need to take a physical. Talking with your family doctor may help you decide whether a team is a good choice for you.
Grades. Many groups require a minimum GPA to join.
Time. If you're involved in competitive sports, you need to have the time to practice and compete. There's also the time it takes to get ready emotionally for a game, and the time you spend getting pizza with the team after games. Team members are often responsible for setting up for a game or helping in other ways. Clubs can meet as infrequently as once every other week, but some teams have practice every day after school and meets on the weekend.
Each school is unique with its own array of offerings, but if you don't find what you want, try a community center or volunteer for a local nonprofit organization or business. Also consider organizations like Youth in Action, a group for teens who want to participate in service projects.
Too Much of a Good Thing?
It's easy to join one too many exciting activities. Ask as many questions as possible before you join. Sit down with your school schedule, work schedule, and other activities and try to map out what's realistic. Are you taking a class this semester that requires extra studying time? Do you need to focus on grades? Does your bus only come once an hour by the time practice is over instead of every 15 minutes? Will you have time to eat, sleep, and relax? Everyone needs downtime. If an activity adds lots of stress to your life, it's not for you.
Once you've joined an activity, if you feel stressed out, reconsider। It's important to keep a balance between schoolwork, extracurricular activities, a job, social life, and your health. If you join a club and need to quit for any reason, talk with the advisor or coach. Be direct and polite and explain your situation and feelings. Sometimes it's just not the right match for you or it's too time-consuming. Perhaps you can participate in a less time-consuming way or rejoin later. You won't be helping yourself or the group if you frantically do homework during a competition or fall asleep during practice. Saying "no" can be the most mature and responsible thing to do.
You can watch basketball, baseball, track, gymnastics, tennis, aerobics, volleyball, and weight lifting on ESPN, or you can get out and enjoy them by joining your school team. Not into team sports? There's French club, the debating team, chess club, student government, radio, newspaper, yearbook, environmental club, 4-H, drama, choir, photography, Students Against Destructive Decisions, jazz band, Business Professionals of America, computer club, and more.
So many choices can seem overwhelming, but getting involved in new activities with new people is a fun way to challenge yourself. Here are some basics and benefits of getting involved.
Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
So what's in it for you? You get to explore your physical, creative, social, political, and career interests with like-minded people. You'll find friends: Trying something different may bring you in contact with people you didn't know who share your interests and curiosity.
You can get involved with groups as a way to get support from other students with your background, such as Latino or Jewish clubs. A club or group also can be a great way to meet people who are different from you. Lots of youth programs bring people together with those who are different as a way to break down the barriers between people. Mark, a senior who lives in Washington, DC, discovered this when he volunteered for a group that uses baseball as a way to bring special-education kids and kids with disabilities together with regular kids.
Participating in extracurricular activities helps you in other ways, too: It looks good on college and job applications and shows admissions officers and employers you're well-rounded and responsible. Specific activities help with specific goals — if you want to teach language or get a bilingual job, being the president of the Spanish club shows the depth of your commitment.
The most basic reason for joining a club or team is that it gives you something better to do than staring at the wall, wandering the hall, or napping all afternoon. People who are involved and engaged are less likely to become addicted to bad habits, like smoking or drinking.
Finding the Right Activity for You
Review the activities your school offers and listen to other students' experiences to find an activity that meets your needs. Think about your interests, abilities, and time — is your sister tired of playing chess with you? Do you wish you had more computer time? Are you tired of shooting hoops alone? Are you looking to meet friends or get support? Do you need to increase the appeal of your college application? Don't limit yourself to the familiar — try something new.
Think about different roles within groups that you might want to try — president, captain, participant, leader, support person. Each role is important. Being president teaches you leadership and management skills, but involves more responsibility; being a member gives you structure and is less stressful. You can also lend your skills in areas that are needed, such as using your financial skills to be a group's treasurer.
How to Get Involved
At the beginning of the school year, teachers and principals often have a list of activities to join or make announcements — for example, your history teacher may be the debating team advisor. Look on school bulletin boards and in the school newspaper. Ask friends what they like. Join right away or wait to see how your schedule will be and join later.
Ask questions of the activity advisor before you join. Some things to ask include:
Age. You may have to be a certain age or in a certain grade to join an activity.
Fees. Do you have to pay to join? How much? Are there fees for outings, uniforms, costumes, or other expenses? You may be required to help raise money.
Physical. If you're joining a team, you may need to take a physical. Talking with your family doctor may help you decide whether a team is a good choice for you.
Grades. Many groups require a minimum GPA to join.
Time. If you're involved in competitive sports, you need to have the time to practice and compete. There's also the time it takes to get ready emotionally for a game, and the time you spend getting pizza with the team after games. Team members are often responsible for setting up for a game or helping in other ways. Clubs can meet as infrequently as once every other week, but some teams have practice every day after school and meets on the weekend.
Each school is unique with its own array of offerings, but if you don't find what you want, try a community center or volunteer for a local nonprofit organization or business. Also consider organizations like Youth in Action, a group for teens who want to participate in service projects.
Too Much of a Good Thing?
It's easy to join one too many exciting activities. Ask as many questions as possible before you join. Sit down with your school schedule, work schedule, and other activities and try to map out what's realistic. Are you taking a class this semester that requires extra studying time? Do you need to focus on grades? Does your bus only come once an hour by the time practice is over instead of every 15 minutes? Will you have time to eat, sleep, and relax? Everyone needs downtime. If an activity adds lots of stress to your life, it's not for you.
Once you've joined an activity, if you feel stressed out, reconsider। It's important to keep a balance between schoolwork, extracurricular activities, a job, social life, and your health. If you join a club and need to quit for any reason, talk with the advisor or coach. Be direct and polite and explain your situation and feelings. Sometimes it's just not the right match for you or it's too time-consuming. Perhaps you can participate in a less time-consuming way or rejoin later. You won't be helping yourself or the group if you frantically do homework during a competition or fall asleep during practice. Saying "no" can be the most mature and responsible thing to do.
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