An introduction
Communities of Practice (CoP) are built on a simple idea: we learn best together, not alone. Highly effective teaching and learning occurs in community, a place we feel we belong, a network where we learn about, from, and with each other to improve collaboration and outcomes. Over the past 8 months, I’ve talked with faculty and staff leading creative, impactful community-engaged teaching and educational programming across WashU, and a pattern keeps showing up. While plenty of people are doing this work, many people feel like they’re doing this work without thought partners or support structures in place.
That’s what this CoP is for: a place to practice shared learning about what’s working, troubleshoot what isn’t, and find your people in this community-engaged work.
I hope you’ll join us in building a culture of collaboration and thought partnership together.
-David Pole, the Confluence Collaborative’s Community Engaged Education Manager
What is a Community of Practice?
A gathering of faculty and staff engaging in shared learning and serving as thought partners regarding shared interests and goals.
What is Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning?
Course design and integration that strengthens student learning experiences while supporting community partners’ advancement towards their goals.
What will involvement in a CoP entail?
- Meetings offered monthly with small group and large group discussions.
- Participants can engage based on their degree of interest and availability.
- Participants will be asked to share questions, experiences, and expertise to support whole-group learning.
What can you expect to get out of your involvement?
- Deepen your application of best practices in community-engaged education.
- Build connections and professional networks of people who you can learn from and partner with to develop or enhance your community-engaged education practices.
- Learn from and with peers about pedagogical tools and resources that can support your community-engaged teaching and learning efforts.
Interested in getting involved?
Please complete the brief form linked below to demonstrate interest.