Learning Networks

Communities of Interest are networks of people who learn together.  They share a practice, problem or interest and are willing to regularly connect with each other to discuss their common concerns, collaboratively develop solutions and learn.

Here at U of G, Learning & Development aims to facilitate the creation of several of these learning networks across the university, including one for Admins and another for Leaders & Managers.

Learning networks decrease professional isolation among members, people are able to be candid about what they are facing and there is a sense of mutual commitment to each other's learning and practice.

In the learning network, members have a forum for:

• Problem solving (e.g. "Can we work on this design and brainstorm some ideas; I’m stuck.")
• Requests for information (e.g. "Where can I find the code to connect to the server?")
• Seeking experience (e.g. "Has anyone dealt with a customer in this situation?")
• Reusing assets (e.g. "I have a form I developed last year. I can send it to you and you can easily tweak it for your needs.")
• Coordination and synergy (e.g. "Can we combine our purchases of supplies to achieve bulk discounts?")
• Discussing developments (e.g. "What do you think of the new information system? Does it really help?")
• Documentation projects (e.g. "We have faced this problem five times now. Let us write it down once and for all.")
• Visits (e.g. "Can we come and see your new program? We need to establish one in our department.")
• Mapping knowledge and identifying gaps (e.g. "Who knows what, and what are we missing? What other groups should we connect with?") 

Source: http://www.ewenger.com/theory/