Designing of Online Communities of Practice to Facilitate Collaborative Learning

This paper seeks to explore the application of online community of practice theory to develop a conceptual framework for an effective student-centered collaborative learning environment. A critical review of literature was conducted in academic publication as well as social media research. It aims to follow the emerging trends of changes in higher education regarding the adoption of educational technologies to enhance the design of learning spaces beyond the limitation of physical classrooms to encourage collaborative learning objectives. It analyzed a case of online community to elucidate the application of theoretical framework of online community of practice. It has also highlighted theoretical application and technological tools in a prototype of an online communities in an academic setting. In addition, leadership and policy implications were discussed. It suggests an approach to bridge the gaps of theory and practice in rethinking, reimaging, and redesigning teaching and learning spaces and pedagogical approaches in the current technological environment.