Great, quick introduction to CoPs; defined: "Communities of practice are groups of people who share a
concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly." The author explains CoPs in terms of 3 key characteristics: the domain, the community, and the practices, and explains the history of development of the concept (growing out of research of the learning apprenticeship model.)

This is a helpful article in its exploration of Connectivism as a theory. Clear explanation of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of Connectivism, leading the author to question whether it actually meets the criteria of a learning theory. The author explains Connectivism instead as a phenomenon and provides examples of how it takes shape for individuals learning through networks. I agree with the author's conclusion that Connectivism does not seem to meet the criteria of a learning theory (at least not in the same way that Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism are learning theories), but I also think it is helpful to articulate the place of Connectivism in contemporary, personalized learning situations.