Students evaluate theories related to Communities of Practice (CoP) and explore resources to manage knowledge networks such as catalytic leadership, knowledge mapping, boundary spanning, collaboration, and innovation to prepare them to manage productive learning communities.
Students are active contributors to the domain knowledge in their field. This course prepares them to develop and lead communities of practices, direct active knowledge management, and innovative interactions across organizations and cultures.
As the global economy becomes increasingly knowledge-based, communities of practice play a vital role in extending the competitive advantage of corporations, nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, and educational institutions through knowledge sharing, organizational learning, and innovation. CoP provide opportunities for the extension of innovative collaboration and knowledge management that transcends context and culture.
Communities of practice reinforce the biblical principle of community and the benefits gained from participants sharing knowledge, experience, skills and learning from one another.
Communities of practice enable collective knowledge sharing, developmental participation, and innovative problem solving to enhance organizational effectiveness.
Students evaluate best practices related to Communities of Practice (CoP) and implement them into their respective work or ministry.
A focus on domain knowledge allows communities of practice to operate inter-organizationally and cross-culturally. Collectivistic cultural dimensions will inform their implementation.
Members of a community of practice are active practitioners within a domain of knowledge. Students evaluate community of practice theories and best practices and initiate new modes of organizational knowledge management.
Students initiate new communities of practice and knowledge management through boundary spanning and developing a CoP proposal for their chosen domain.
