1. Social Learning Theory
Microlearning Sessions by Nursing Education Network

2. Key Learning Outcomes
Introduce and provide an overview of social learning theory:
Describe social learning theory and key concepts
Communities of Practice by Etienne Wenger
Share key learning resources

3. Social Learning Theory
Learning is a social process according to Wenger (1999).
Wenger explains that part of being human is the willingness or desire to form communities, and through these are the essential components of learning opportunities.
Being part of this community is what Wenger (2000) calls “social learning systems, to create a view of knowing and practice as meaning”.  
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Key Reference: Wenger, E. (2000). Communities of practice and social learning systems. Organization, 7(2),

4. Community of Practice (CoP’s)
A community of practice is formed by people interacting and sharing a process or passion of collective learning.
Wenger uses the terminology of social competence and personal experience for social learning that is classified into three modes of engagement, imagination and alignment.
New terminology for online communities of practice are eCoP’s (electronic) and vCOP (virtual).
Key Reference: Nursing Education Network. (2019). Communities of Practice (CoP) by Etienne Wenger.

5. References
Nursing Education Network. (2016). Communities of Practice (CoP) by Etienne Wenger.
Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of Practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge University press. [sample here]
Wenger, E. (2000). Communities of practice and social learning systems. Organization, 7(2),
Wenger, E. & Wenger-Trayner, B. (2015). Introduction to communities of practice: A brief overview of the concept and its uses.
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