The Role of Virtual Communities of Practice in Supporting Collaborative Learning among Social Workers

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 725-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Cook-Craig ◽  
Y. Sabah
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice

Virtual Communities of Practice

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Pender Greene
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice

Sociologists and social workers have long been invested in understanding the role of communities in shaping identities and influencing behavior; however, the study of virtual communities is still new despite the dramatic ways in which online social networks have replaced traditional, geographically bound conceptions of community. The present article briefly reviews some of the early theories of community that have influenced practically all scholars studying computer-mediated virtual communities. The focus then shifts toward an analysis of early, important theorists focusing on virtual communities. The article concludes by examining contemporary research and practices utilizing virtual communities in social work, with a particular emphasis on ways to integrate virtual communities into professional practice.

STEAM Education Using Design Thinking Process Through Virtual Communities of Practice (STEAM-DT-VCoPs)

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Thiti Jantakun ◽  
Kitsadaporn Jantakun ◽  
Thada Jantakoon
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Steam Education ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Thinking Process ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice ◽  
Two Phases

These objectives of the study are 1) to design STEAM education using Design Thinking Process through Virtual Communities of Practice (STEAM-DT-VCoPs), and 2) to evaluate the designed STEAM-DT-VCoPs. It divides the research procedures into two phases. The first phase is to design STEAM-DT-VCoPs, and the second phase is to evaluate the STEAM-DT-VCoPs. The sample group of this study comprises fourteen experts selected by purposive sampling. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation analyzed data. The research findings are: 1) The STEAM-DT-VCoPs comprise three steps are 1.1) the role of virtual communities of STEAM practice 1.2) Design Thinking Process through Virtual Communities of Practice, and 1.3) the various disciplines in STEAM education. 2) The experts agree that STEAM-DT-VCoPs is the highest level of appropriateness.

The Challenge of Evaluating Virtual Communities of Practice: A Systematic Mapping Study

10.28945/4505 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 039-064
Author(s):  
Rogerio Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Itana Maria de Souza Gimenes ◽  
José Carlos Maldonado
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Evaluation Methods ◽  
Systematic Mapping Study ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Systematic Mapping ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice ◽  
Selection Of

Aim/Purpose: This paper presents a study of Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP) evaluation methods that aims to identify their current status and impact on knowledge sharing. The purposes of the study are as follows: (i) to identify trends and research gaps in VCoP evaluation methods; and, (ii) to assist researchers to position new research activities in this domain. Background: VCoP have become a popular knowledge sharing mechanism for both individuals and organizations. Their evaluation process is complex; however, it is recognized as an essential means to provide evidences of community effectiveness. Moreover, VCoP have introduced additional features to face to face Communities of Practice (CoP) that need to be taken into account in evaluation processes, such as geographical dispersion. The fact that VCoP rely on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to execute their practices as well as storing artifacts virtually makes more consistent data analysis possible; thus, the evaluation process can apply automatic data gathering and analysis. Methodology: A systematic mapping study, based on five research questions, was carried out in order to analyze existing studies about VCoP evaluation methods and frameworks. The mapping included searching five research databases resulting in the selection of 1,417 papers over which a formal analysis process was applied. This process led to the preliminary selection of 39 primary studies for complete reading. After reading them, we select 28 relevant primary studies from which data was extracted and synthesized to answer the proposed research questions. Contribution: The authors of the primary studies analyzed along this systematic mapping propose a set of methods and strategies for evaluating VCoP, such as frameworks, processes and maturity models. Our main contribution is the identification of some research gaps present in the body of studies, in order to stimulate projects that can improve VCoP evaluation methods and support its important role in social learning. Findings: The systematic mapping led to the conclusion that most of the approaches for VCoP evaluation do not consider the combination of data structured and unstructured metrics. In addition, there is a lack of guidelines to support community operators’ actions based on evaluation metrics.

scholarly journals Virtual communities of practice to improve clinical outcomes in healthcare: protocol for a 10-year scoping review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e046998
Author(s):  
Louise Shaw ◽  
Dana Jazayeri ◽  
Debra Kiegaldie ◽  
Meg Morris
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Falls Prevention ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Search Term ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Relevant Stakeholder ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice

IntroductionVirtual communities of practice (VCoPs) use a common online platform to provide healthcare professionals with the opportunity to access highly specialised knowledge, build a professional support network and promote the translation of research evidence into practice. There is limited reporting of how best to design and administer VCoPs within healthcare organisations. The primary aim of this scoping review is to identify the best methods used to establish and maintain VCoPs. Findings shall be used to develop a flexible framework to guide the establishment and facilitation of a VCoP for healthcare professionals to ensure the translation of falls prevention clinical guidelines into practice.Methods and analysisA five-stage scoping review process will be followed based on Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and refined by the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology. An initial limited search of PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature will identify relevant studies and assist with search term development. This will be followed by a search of five online databases to identify papers published from January 2010 until November 2020. Papers will be independently screened by two reviewers, and data extracted and analysed using a reporting framework. Qualitative data will be analysed thematically and numerical synthesis of the data will be conducted.Results and disseminationThe results of this scoping review will highlight the best ways to design and manage VCoPs in healthcare organisations. The findings will be presented at relevant stakeholder workshops, conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

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