Assessing the value created through participating in a graduate studies community of practice

Abstract

In effort to overcome the challenges related to enhancing student learning and academic achievement in higher education, researchers continue to explore a myriad of educational strategies and best practices.Communities of Practice (CoPs) have been identified as a means to nurture the learning and expertise of members in a variety of contexts.Despite the numerous studies that have reported the many benefits of participating in CoPs, studies that assess the value created through such participation are lacking, especially within educational settings.The purpose of this study was to assess the value created through participating in a graduate studies CoP comprised of 14 graduate students and three professors.Using a case study design and a value creation framework, findings revealed that all group members gained personally meaningful and relevant value through participating in the CoP, which in turn led to enhanced learning and a gain of academic competencies.The findings provided empirical support for the value framework, which is discussed in relation to its implications for the future study and application of CoPs in higher education.

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