Creating a Comprehensive Global Community of Practice

1. Creating a Comprehensive Global Community of Practice Inga Keithly inga@education-innovation.net

2. Overview • Introduction • Questions • Background • Learning Theory • Networked Learning Environment (NLE) • Bb Community System • Conclusions & Future Research

3. Introduction • Interested in expanding your professional development efforts through the use of an online community? Join this roundtable to discuss effective ways to take part in a network of professionals focused on improving the delivery of education. Learn how the Blackboard Academic Suite helps teachers stay accountable to the teaching profession. • Session Focus: Blackboard Academic Suite, Blackboard Community System

4. Questions • What are best practices in forming online communities? • How can an online learning community extend your professional development?

5. Background - Technology • Global electronic networks • Web-based community of learners • Impact of culture and community

6. Background - Culture • Culture • Attitudes, values, history • Digital culture • native versus immigrant

7. Internet and Culture • Interactive • Two-way discussion • Intercultural Communication • Problems • Common language • Understanding of global culture

8. Internet as Community • Supports interaction • Without distractions of physical presence • Overcomes limitations of time and geography • Global community

9. Social Learning and Cognition • Social Interaction (Vygotsky, 1978) • Social interaction and context play fundamental role in internal cognitive structures (ZPD) • Cognitive presence (Garrison,2001) • Critical thinking • Critical discourse • Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1986) • Social cognitive theory • Self efficacy

10. The Networked Learning Environment • A Networked Learning Environment (NLE) enables any student or teacher to step beyond traditional courses to a more expansive online learning experience.

11. Global Institutions Instructor Consortia Disciplines NLE- Educator View

12. Building Online Communities with Blackboard Community System • Support the individual • Welcome message • Technical support • Create a warm, inviting setting • Encourage peer-peer relationships • Share background, interests • Post biographies • Organize collaborative groups

13. Global Perspective

14. Conclusion & Future Research Once Blackboard 7.0 is in place, examine the interaction between teachers of different cultures, ethnicities and nationalities. • Examine why and how events occur • Research cultural characteristics, motivation • Design to retain national traditions • Explore new ways to use technologies

15. Notes on the presenter • Inga Keithly, a doctoral candidate at San Diego State University in Educational Technology, is currently on sabbatical to develop her skills as a learning consultant. Her recent relocation to Boston has given her academic relationships at Harvard and MIT, and enabled her to continue researching best practices in collaboration and how educational technology can assist underserved communities. Notable highlights in her teaching career are national certification from NBPTS and teacher of the year at her local high school in Hawaii.