RUNNING HEADER: LEARNING WITH

-Rough DraftLearning With Purpose

Elisabeth H. M. Beiter
California State University, Chico

LEARNING WITH PURPOSE

Learning With Purpose
Abstract
This essay will take an in-depth look at the concept of Community of Practice and
its efficiency as a teaching and learning style. As a student in the U-course I will analyze
my experiences as a member of a CoP. I will identify whether or not my involvements
validated the idea that learning involves a deepening process of participation.
Part One
In 1991 social anthropologist Jean Lave and educational theorist Etienne Wenger
published the book, Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. This book
encompassed the concept of Community of Practice or CoP. This idea, however, was
first articulated in the late 1980s. The term COP describes a type of social learning that
has always taken place, whether among authorities or hobbyists or members of a tribe. It
recognizes learning as not just a cognitive process in which a learner passively absorbs
information delivered by an instructor, but as a social, relational process in which
knowledge spreads through group interaction and exchange(Groff, 2013). This idea
allows for discussion, debate, and opinion from all angles and perspectives with the goal
spreading knowledge throughout the group. Concepts and theories are grasped on a
deeper, more personal level as students such as myself gain a position on multiple topics.
Wenger went on to develop the CoP concept further, identifying three key elements: a
domain, or common area of activity; a community, or group of people engaged in the
activity and sharing information about it; and a practice, or body of tools, resources, and
knowledge about the activity that advances it. The idea of putting information into
practice really enhances learning in my opinion. It is pretty amazing how much

LEARNING WITH PURPOSE

information college students hear, quite possibly memorize, and then forget not two
semesters later. When the information enters and exits our minds with nothing of value
tied to it, it never becomes more than just words. Allowing information to move us in
way that shifts perspective, motivates initiative, and even lights a passion is, in every way
more effective.
Part Two
A community of practice is any group of people engaged in a similar activity who
share knowledge about the activity in order to increase expertise and solve problems. The
U-Course achieved this by forming groups; we worked together to create presentations
and helped educate our peers. The Professors, Nate and Eric, pushed us beyond the text
hoping to hear our personal thoughts and opinions. We would view impactful films then
have an opportunity to discuss it. It was equally gratifying to hear the positions of others,
such as a man raised in Nigeria, as it was getting to voice my own opinion. From a
personal perspective, Ive thoroughly enjoyed engaging in a community of practice. I feel
the information you receive that molds your beliefs, shifts your perspective, and brings
out your passion is the most valuable. The classic teaching style does not open up for
discussion, Professors dont often push their students to formulate individual ideas of
concepts. I recall Nate mentioning that he doesnt like to share his position on issues
within the class and I found that very refreshing; Ive taken multiple classes that have
bias views. This class, paired with CoP teaching style took what would otherwise be
words on a page and allowed
This class has gone deep into sustainability, with a Worldview. I recall watching a
film that discussed the damage that has been done to this planet and the amounts we are

LEARNING WITH PURPOSE

spending in defense from one another. If we allocated some of those funds to
conservation and sustainability efforts we could move in a more ecological direction. Ive
realized there is so much to be learned, theres so much for Americans to become aware
of, such as the fact that weve done more damage to this planet in the last 60 years than in
the entire human existence. We have such a short period of time to reverse the damages
before they are irreversible.
Ive had a strong opinion on nutrition for a few years but this class really
integrated sustainable eating into my views. My current Ad campaign is encompassed
around the amounts of water that is depleted in our common food items. The information
shocked me and almost every person Ive discussed this with was completely uneducated
on the topic. This campaign, along with class discussions, and my research paper on
sustainable eating has convinced me to become a vegetarian, which luckily was not a
difficult transition. CoP integrates the real world into learning. When the class material
can move you to shift your lifestyle, a lot has been accomplished. Group work has its
benefits and challenges, there have been times when I would have rather done an entire
project alone but learning to be a team player, good communicator, and dependable
individual is only going to benefit me in my future endeavors. In fact, the difficult group
members helped integrate subjects even deeper as I had to stress my points multiple
times. The interactions involved, and the ability to undertake larger or more complex
activities and projects though cooperation, bind people together and help to facilitate
relationship and trust(Wegner, 2009).

LEARNING WITH PURPOSE

References:
Groff, Adam. 2013. "Community of practice (CoP)." Salem Press EncyclopediaResearch
Starters, EBSCOhost (accessed December 7, 2014).
Wenger, Etienne (1998) Communities of Practice. Learning as a social system, Systems
Thinker, http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/cop/lss.shtml. Accessed
December 6, 2014.
Wenger, Etienne (c 2007) Communities of practice. A brief introduction. Communities
of practice [http://www.ewenger.com/theory/. Accessed December 6, 2014.