The Community of Practice (COP) on Practical Assessment: Assessment Practitioners Working Together

What is a Community of Practice? A COP is a group of individuals committed to learning from each other through the sustained sharing of knowledge and expertise on a topic of mutual interest, such as assessment. Developed over time, the COP gradually acquires a sense of community and provides for both individual and collective learning among its members. For a thorough overview of the nature of a COP, read Etienne Wenger's "Communities of Practice: Learning as a Social System" at

History of the COP Potential:We recognized the need for a COP (AAHE Seattle Conference 2003). Coalescing:A proposal was submitted to AAHE and the COP began (January 2004) Active:Bi-weekly chats, face-to-face meeting (AAHE Denver 2004) Dispersed:AAHE dissolved and the COP became a listserv (April 2005). Rising:The COP seeks input on its redefinition (NASPA Phoenix 2006) Renewal:New site (ICSSIA 2007)

What does THIS Community of Practice accomplish? 1.Share common goals and interests, 2.work together to seek solutions, 3.assist one another on tasks, 4. generate new ideas and approaches, 5.meet face-to-face at conferences, 6.provide updates and information, and 7. reduce stress and provide support.

More specifically, the COP on Practical Assessment offers: Synchronous chats on announced topics, asynchronous threaded conversations or blogs on specified topics or issues, member-posted resources and tools, announcements and conversations, and individual contacts.

Where is the COP located? We are located at the International Center for Student Success and Institutional Accountability (ICSSIA) at icssia.org ICSSIA Communities of Practice are self-generated and self-sustaining. Membership in the community is open to any higher education professional who wishes to subscribe. Individual moderators manage their communities in ways that serve the community best.

Who are the moderators? Dr. Ray Somera Assistant Director, Office of Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness Guam Community College Barrigada, Guam Dr. Ruth Andes Assistant Dean for Assessment and Special Projects Genesee Community College Batavia, NY 14020

Other key people: COP Greeter: Dr. Beverly A. Parsons Executive Director, InSites COP/ICSSIA Coordinator Dr. Robert Mundhenk Interim Director, International Center for Student Success and Institutional Accountability

How do you join? Fill out the form attached to this handout so we have a record of your interest. If you have joined the previous COP, you are already a member! Go online to: Once there, click on Communities of Practice on the right or at the bottom. --- Then click on the link to the Practical Assessment Community of Practice. --- Follow the directions for joining the COP. Welcome to our Community of Practice!

The motto of our COP! This COP welcomes half-baked ideas! We want to emphasize that all questions are welcomed and that by sharing half-baked ideas we can work together to create innovative recipes for effective and efficient assessments.

Join us for a live chat! We are scheduling a live chat for Tuesday, June 14 at 4:00 pm (Eastern time). We will be: 1. updating from the conference, 2. discussing what resources to provide, 3. deciding what topics to include in future chats, and 4. welcoming new ideas. Please join the COP and meet us online for this live chat!

Questions?? Contact the COP Moderators: Ray Somera: Ruth Andes: We look forward to hearing from you!