Community of practice is a concept emphasizing that learning, knowledge, and identity are ultimately social processes arising from the collective engagement among members of a community. The theory is grounded in the doings, actions, or practices of individuals that take on meaning as the individuals engage with others in shared activities and interests. For communication study, the theory weaves together concerns of joint activity, meaning making, and identity within situated localities.

A community of practice is marked by three characteristics. First, individuals engage in joint enterprises reflecting a shared domain of interest. Individuals undertake tasks and activities that are linked to a commonly understood interest or aspect of the community. For example, insurance claim processors in an office individually undertake the collective work of responding to claims submitted by clients for compensation of medical expenses. Second, by undertaking joint activities and discussions, participants build relationships of mutual engagement; they assist one another, help each other learn how and what to do, and clarify what is meaningful and what is not, without necessarily being explicit about such concerns. Chatting with colleagues about the day’s work provides such opportunities. Third, members of communities develop a shared repertoire of resources over time. A shared practice of experiences, tools, stories, strategies for problems, objects, and materials results from members’ involvement as practitioners of the community’s domain. As claim processors undertake the routine tasks of their day, they acquire and create a host of things to do and say to enable their successful engagements in their work.

Littlejohn, Stephen W and Karen A.Floss. (2009). Encyclopedia of Communication Theory.USA:SAGE.654

Penanggungjawab naskah :

Gayes Mahestu
Edwina Ayu Kustiawan