not a new kind of organizational unit; rather, they are a different cut on the organization's structure–one that emphasizes the learning that people have done together
outsiders and newcomers learn the practice in concrete terms, and core members gain new insights from contacts with less-engaged participants
defined by knowledge rather than by task
produces a shared practice as members engage in a collective process of learning
develop the knowledge that lets them do these other tasks
development ultimately depends on internal leadership.
have intrinsic legitimacy in the community
They are nodes for the exchange and interpretation of information.
They can retain knowledge in "living" ways
They can steward competencies to keep the organization at the cutting edge
They provide homes for identities.
Identity is important because, in a sea of information, it helps us sort out what we pay attention to, what we participate in, and what we stay away from.
recognizing the work of sustaining them
giving members the time to participate in activities
value communities bring is acknowledged
The art is to help such communities find resources and connections without overwhelming them with organizational meddling.
No community can fully design the learning of another; but conversely no community can fully design its own learning.
Communities of practice develop around things that matter to people. As a result, their practices reflect the members' own understanding of what is important. Obviously, outside constraints or directives can influence this understanding, but even then, members develop practices that are their own response to these external influences. Even when a community's actions conform to an external mandate, it is the community–not the mandate–that produces the practice.
Community capacity is an important consideration in community development as the process of community development itself often results in increased capacity. Therefore, the two are interrelated but distinct. Combined or separate, they both have a great deal to do with developing potential and enhancing community living. This handbook was designed to look at community development, realizing that capacity building and other processes often get confused with it.
The Community Tool Box is the world's largest resource for free information on essential skills for building healthy communities. It offers more than 7,000 pages of practical guidance in creating change and improvement, and is growing as a global resource for this work.
Os dejo hoy un resumen de la Primera Unidad del Curso de Facilitación de Comunidades Online en el que participo, considerando que puede ser de utilidad a diversas disciplinas, desde la educación al márketing social.
El curso se desarrolla en inglés (paso a traducir este mismo artículo) pero he creído que a algunos lectores podrían seros de interés algunas de sus conclusiones. Lo iré haciendo al finalizar cada unidad. Se trata de un ejercicio de síntesis y aportación personal. Podéis ver las fuentes teóricas de las que parto, las que matizo según mi experiencia, al final del artículo