Technology Supported Social Network Building and Knowledge Sharing: A Case Study of Designing an Online Community of Practice for Teachers

Abstract

This paper presents a design-based research project to build an online Community of Practice (CoP) for teacher professional development (TPD) with web 2.0 tools. CoPs provide opportunities for teachers to learn from peers, both interactively and collaboratively. In a successful CoP for teachers, practical knowledge sharing among teachers is one of the most important characteristics. To achieve this, social connections within the community cannot be overlooked. The purpose of our research is to determine how to build social networks for teachers and facilitate their knowledge sharing with the help of web 2.0 technology. During the three-year design trajectory, we finished 4 stages of community design, and developed a CoP for teachers called Libazhuang (LBZ) supported by web 2.0 tools which enable social network building and practical knowledge sharing. We started our design from a trial version of community, then we improved usability and sociability of the community, designed professional development featured modules and added social network analysis function. The development of this community was driven by users’ needs. In order to get users involve in the design process, synchronous and asynchronous channels were provided to support the interaction between users and designers. In discussion section, we present our finding about community design and knowledge sharing. We suggest that social needs of users should be considered carefully in CoPs design. Usability should be well designed to enhance sociability. Channels should be provided to connect users and produce collective intelligence. In CoPs, teachers’ social networks may change the way of interaction among participants. In turn, it increases knowledge sharing and creation.