According to Wenger
(2006) communities of practice are formed by people who engage in a process of
collective learning in a shared domain of human endeavor: a tribe learning to
survive, a band of artists seeking new forms of expression, a group of
engineers working on similar problems, a clique of pupils defining their
identities in school, a network of surgeons exploring novel techniques, a
gathering of first-time managers helping each other cope. The focus of any
community of practice is that of sharing knowledge and experience in order for
members to become better and more effective in their particular area of knowledge.
It also helps in gathering and using collective knowledge to solve problems.
The three such national/federal
organizations that appealed to me are:
1.
Turkey
Early Childhood Education Project: This is a collaborative effort that involves
Turkish educational institutions including a university and a preschool, the
aim is to exchange information and knowledge on materials, high-quality
preschool curricula, intercultural comparisons and approaches to early
childhood education. The work of the
community of practice is positively impacting early childhood education in
Turkey.
2.
The Early Childhood
Community of Practice (http://www.tapartnership.org/COP/earlyChildhood/resources.php):
The
Early Childhood Community of Practice (COP) provides a platform for discussion,
collaboration, and the exchange of ideas and resources related to young
children between the ages of birth to 8 who have mental health challenges and
are currently being served by system of care communities.
3.
Association
of Early Childhood Intervention (is
EÇOMD ) http://www.ecomder.org/hakkinda.asp
This is a government backed association with the purpose of improving early
childhood intervention through research, support for professionals, creation of
awareness about issues in the field of early childhood education and research.
In my last blog posting
I wrote about my passion for children and that the only job opportunity that
interest me in the field is that of a classroom teacher. I have come to realize
after that posting that I am also interested in the position of a program
supervisor in early learning center. I am interested in this post as it will
give me a great opportunity to oversee and guide child care teachers and staff
to ensure best practices and be able to share and deploy knowledge gained over
the year as an early childhood classroom teacher and from this course.
Skills and experience I
need to completely fulfil this role include but not limited to the following:
relevant academic qualification; ability to develop and maintain strong working
relationship; ability to manage and inspire staff; exceptional organizational
and time management skill; ability to effectively communicate with and present
information to parents, peers, and all other stakeholders; and ability to lead
by example, build relationships, and influence others.
References:
Wenger, E. (2006). Communities
of practice: A brief introduction.
Retrieved from http://www.ewenger.com/theory/
