Farnsworth, V, Kleanthous, I and Wenger-Trayner, E (2016) Communities of practice as a social theory of learning: A conversation with Etienne Wenger. British Journal of Educational Studies, 64 (2). pp. 139-160. ISSN 0007-1005
Abstract
The aim of this article is to contribute to the understanding and use of the theory of communities of practice. In order to clarify terms, explore applications for education, and reflect on various critiques of the theory in the literature, two educational researchers conducted a series of interviews with the theorist Etienne Wenger-Trayner. The interviews have been thematically organised around key concepts from the theory. By relating the concepts to their uses in research and to other social theories, Wenger-Trayner clarifies key ideas of the theory including what constitutes a ‘community of practice’. He explains how he conceptualises identity and participation in order to develop a social theory of learning in which power and boundaries are inherent. The interviewers draw on these conceptual discussions with Wenger-Trayner to consider how the theory of communities of practice resonates with key debates and issues in education. By unpacking some key concepts of the theory from an educational perspective, we provide researchers with conceptual tools to support the complex decision-making that is involved in selecting the best and most appropriate theory or theories to use in their research.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016, Society for Educational Studies. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in British Journal of Educational Studies on 21 Jan 2016, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2015.1133799 |
Keywords: | ‘community of practice'; identity; power; education; learning theory |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) > Leeds Institute of Medical Education > Medical Education Unit (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 17 Dec 2015 11:55 |
Last Modified: | 21 Jul 2017 01:20 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2015.1133799 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis (Routledge) |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/00071005.2015.1133799 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:92950 |