Communication, Community Building, Community of Practice, Core Team, Face-to-Face Meetings, Facilitation, Identity, Internet-Based Technologies, IS Design Issues, IT Platform, Legitimate Peripheral Participation, Management Issues, Online Community, Ownership, Set of Guidelines, Technology and Social Issues, Trust, Values, Virtual Communities, Virtual Teams
ABSTRACT:
This chapter looks at the work of a team of remote workers and how they have developed into a Community of Practice (CoP). It explores the roles that technology and communication methods have on the formation and development of the community. In telling the story of the progression from a team of individuals to a CoP, the chapter provides a practical guide to others wishing to do the same.
Two aspects of the work of the team are considered in depth:
1. Building communication systems across a Distributed CoP
2. Building commitment, ownership, engagement and focus in a Distributed CoP
The team and community on which the chapter is based is one of some 20 people working remotely for Ultralab, a learning, technology and research centre in Chelmsford UK. The work of the team is online facilitation for the National College of School Leadership (NCSL). The team meet together approximately four times a year, using an online community space, the Facilitators' Forum, as their day-to-day working space.
