Communities of Practice

Consider the concept of a “community of practice.” How can such a community offer opportunities for learning?


I feel that the concept of a "community of practice" is a great opportunity for learning. These posts below a picture, as in Shirky or posts in a discussion forum start out in a simply way. Someone asks a question about something. This is how almost all learning takes place. Whether at school where either the teacher or student asks a question in a formal setting or online where someone asks any question that they need or simply desire an answer too. 
The next step in creating a community of practice is for someone to answer. When this answer is posted several things can happen. It can be the correct answer, the incorrect answer, or an answer that does not help the person who asked the question. Regardless of which happened the question asker can choose to use or not use the answer for whatever purpose they were intending. 
After this exchange of information another user may stumble upon the question. This person may comment that they agree, disagree, or give an answer that is more helpful. This process can continue as long as someone is reading the post and is interested. Many people may become involved in a disagreement about the answer, become engulfed and give a very detailed answer, or discover more than one answer to the original question.
One of the great things about this scenario is that learning takes place even when the original user looses interest. They may be satisfied with the original answer. Other users may be able to use the more detailed answer or one of the alternate answers given, rather than adding another answer post. Anyone who is in search of an answer to a similar question could find this discussion useful and learn from the answers of others long before the question entered their head. 
The idea of a community of practice is like working on a test or project with a group. More ideas are flowing and there is a higher probability that someone knows the answer. Therefore the answer will most likely be more developed and stronger than if working alone. Communities of practice are also more efficient. Instead of reading long manuals or texts one could search for a question on a discussion board and find an answer for their specific question in simple terms. Many times the solutions found in these communities are more simple and easy to understand. People with a problem can learn from others that encountered the same problem before them and see how the others went about solving the problem. Tips and tricks may also be included to make the solution more efficient and easier.