Communities of practice that work! Using the Faculty Learning Community model to effect change

McAdam, J. , Paschke, B., Price, K. , Sneddon, S. , Stapleton, G. and Tierney, A. (2022) Communities of practice that work! Using the Faculty Learning Community model to effect change. 15th Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, 29 Mar 2022.

Abstract

Collaboration and collegiality that is fostered through the formation of communities of practice (CoP) strengthens cross-disciplinary learning and teaching environments as well as supporting academic development. However, have you ever tried to form a community of practice? You may or may not have called it that, but most of us have either tried to form a group of like-minded colleagues to advance a particular area of interest or topic of importance, or we have been a part of one. This workshop will draw on the experience of the audience who have either formed, or been a participant, in a CoP and explore the difficulties commonly encountered in CoPs and why they often fail to produce the desired outcomes. We will then use examples to demonstrate how one particular CoP model, the Faculty Learning Community, first described by Milton Cox, has been used effectively to bring about transformative change not only in CoP outcomes but in its participants as well. We will demonstrate how our experience of Faculty Learning Communities has supported individuals through particular challenges and strengthened our sense of community and multidisciplinary and cross-organisational team working. The workshop aligns with University of Glasgow strategic value of “Promoting continuing professional and skills development to support evolution in learning and teaching”.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
• Status: Published
• Refereed: No
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tierney, Miss Anne and McAdam, Dr Julie and Stapleton, Dr Genevieve and Price, Dr Katherine and Sneddon, Dr Sharon and Paschke, Dr Beth
• Authors: McAdam, J., Paschke, B., Price, K., Sneddon, S., Stapleton, G., and Tierney, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing; College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry; College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Culture, Literacies, Inclusion & Pedagogy

Related URLs

• Organisation