Stronger Together: Building Communities of Practice in Education

3 Units
Independent Study

Course Description

Build and Sustain Communities of Practice that Turn Collaboration Into Meaningful Professional Growth and Lasting Organizational Change

This course introduces educators to Communities of Practice as a model for collaborative professional learning and institutional change. Drawing on the work of Wenger and contemporary scholarship on equity-minded practice, participants will explore how Communities of Practice bring educators together to share expertise, reflect on challenges, and develop collective strategies for addressing systemic issues within educational environments. Through readings, case studies, curated videos, and applied design activities, participants will examine how Communities of Practice can support professional growth, strengthen institutional initiatives, and advance equity-focused work in education. By the end of the course, participants will develop a Community of Practice implementation plan tailored to their own professional context, equipping them with practical tools to launch and sustain collaborative learning communities within their organizations.

Course Details

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course is designed for educators and education leaders committed to advancing equity by addressing systemic injustices rather than locating deficits in students.

Grading and Feedback: This course is entirely self-paced and automated. Unlike our standard courses, it features no instructor interaction, and no feedback. The final assessment is automatically graded utilizing internal systems.

Prerequisites:

No formal prerequisites required. However, participants should have professional experience working in educational settings, such as teaching, academic leadership, instructional design, faculty development, or educational administration. Familiarity with challenges related to teaching, learning, or student success will help participants engage more deeply with course materials and apply course concepts to their own professional contexts.

 

Course Options

Course Date Units Price
EDU-X734V – 001 01 Jan 202631 Dec 2026 3 $504

Stronger Together: Building Communities of Practice in Education

01 Jan 202631 Dec 2026
3
$504
Independent Study

Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credits in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course is designed for education professionals interested in collaborative approaches to professional learning and organizational improvement. Prospective participants may include K–12 teachers, college and university faculty, department chairs, program directors, instructional designers, faculty developers, instructional coaches, and educational administrators.

Refund Policy: To receive a refund, students need to drop the course through the MyPCE@91PORN student account portal before midnight (11:59PT) on the third day of the course. The refund of the course fee will be returned less a processing fee of 10% of the course tuition. No refunds will be issued after this deadline.

What You Will Learn

  • Explain the foundational concepts of Communities of Practice, including the elements of domain, community, and practice (Wenger-Trayner & Wenger-Trayner).
  • Analyze how collaboration among educators can address institutional challenges and support professional learning.
  • Identify systemic challenges within their educational context that could be addressed through collaborative inquiry.
  • Design and propose a Community of Practice tailored to their professional environment, including its purpose, structure, and facilitation strategies.

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the 91PORN’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why 91PORN?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

600+

High-quality, career-building courses to choose from

50+

In-depth, innovative, and relevant topics

25+

Career advancing certificates

Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.

Independent Study

Independent Study Self-Paced: Independent study courses offer you flexibility and the ability to complete a course faster or slower than you would a traditional live course. In this online format, you may register at any time and you will have a set time period (typically 9 months) from the time of registration to complete your course. This convenient format is often helpful for:

  • Working professionals with tight schedules
  • Students who require a specific course to meet professional development or recertification requirements
  • Students living in remote locations
  • Students who cannot easily attend courses due to injury or illness
  • Students who are self-motivated and conscientious

Key Benefits of Educator Courses

A World of Choices

With hundreds of courses across a range of education-related topics, there’s a strong chance we have the ideal class for you!

Small Class Sizes

Small class sizes with real-world educators are an important part of the 91PORN experience.

Work-Life Balance

Our educator courses offer flexible course formats and class times to help you balance your work, 91PORN studies, and family life.