Communities of Practice

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a place where individuals come to collaborate, learn together or challenge ideas. It is continuous and offers opportunities to revisit ideas and grow through reflection, inquiry and practice. They offer a safe environment to build and foster organic relationships, where individuals feel they can share ideas, experiences and brainstorm in a professional manner without judgement; but rather through a lens of critical reflection. They empower individuals as they build confidence by sharing their knowledge, contributing to the learning and the collective growth, in turn creating a richer community and sector.
CoPs are different from traditional professional development in that they are not based on an expert model of delivery (the sharing of information top down), but in collaborative learning (side by side), understanding that all members bring with them existing knowledge, rich experiences and a willingness to continue to learn.
CoPs will meet 3-4 times a year allowing individuals to come together over a period time, to come back to questions and ideas posed, to reflect and to build upon experiences.
PRC members can participate in any CoP for free. Those who don't hold an annual membership with the PRC can purchase an annual CoP Membership for $12 or attend each session individually for $5. Click here to become a member or to register for CoP sessions.
Together we are stronger and wiser.
CoPs are different from traditional professional development in that they are not based on an expert model of delivery (the sharing of information top down), but in collaborative learning (side by side), understanding that all members bring with them existing knowledge, rich experiences and a willingness to continue to learn.
CoPs will meet 3-4 times a year allowing individuals to come together over a period time, to come back to questions and ideas posed, to reflect and to build upon experiences.
PRC members can participate in any CoP for free. Those who don't hold an annual membership with the PRC can purchase an annual CoP Membership for $12 or attend each session individually for $5. Click here to become a member or to register for CoP sessions.
Together we are stronger and wiser.

Communities of Practice Currently Offered through the PRC
Pedagogical Leadership CoP
This CoP will provide participants with the opportunity to discover the pedagogical leader within and to discover the possibilities of engaging with others in creating a culture of pedagogical excellence. Participants will examine the characteristics, competencies and dispositions involved in constructive pedagogical leadership through reflective practice. They will grapple with the meaning of leadership and discover how it can positively impact their own practice in creating quality early learning environments.
Click here to register.
This CoP will provide participants with the opportunity to discover the pedagogical leader within and to discover the possibilities of engaging with others in creating a culture of pedagogical excellence. Participants will examine the characteristics, competencies and dispositions involved in constructive pedagogical leadership through reflective practice. They will grapple with the meaning of leadership and discover how it can positively impact their own practice in creating quality early learning environments.
Click here to register.
Home Child Care CoP
Join us to deepen your knowledge and understanding of daily experiences and encounters that home child care settings encounter, including structuring successful interviews, setting up your environment and how to capture the interest of potential clients. Come ready to participate in conversations, reflection and share and generate new ideas.
Click here to register.
Taking the Lead CoP
Anyone can be a leader. This group will meet to cultivate their skills around leadership by looking at their relationships, beliefs and practices in connection to the Early Learning Sector. What does it mean to be a leader? How do you cultivate, support, and foster ideas in those around you? This group is best intended for any individual (regardless of job title) that is interested in developing and fostering their leadership capacity in this transformative sector.
Click here to register.
Anyone can be a leader. This group will meet to cultivate their skills around leadership by looking at their relationships, beliefs and practices in connection to the Early Learning Sector. What does it mean to be a leader? How do you cultivate, support, and foster ideas in those around you? This group is best intended for any individual (regardless of job title) that is interested in developing and fostering their leadership capacity in this transformative sector.
Click here to register.

NEW! DIALOGUE DEN CONVERSATIONS
Offer a place to engage in discussion, stimulate learning, form connectivity, and support the sharing of knowledge and resources of like-minded individuals, building and strengthening our early learning community. These rich conversations are similar to communities of practice. They remain different from traditional professional development in that they are not based on an expert model of delivery (the sharing of information top down), but in collaborative learning (side by side), understanding that all members bring with them existing knowledge, rich experiences and a willingness to continue to learn. The pivotal difference is CoP's reoccur periodically, whereas Dialogue Den conversations are usually brief ONE TIME informal conversations.
Click here to register
Offer a place to engage in discussion, stimulate learning, form connectivity, and support the sharing of knowledge and resources of like-minded individuals, building and strengthening our early learning community. These rich conversations are similar to communities of practice. They remain different from traditional professional development in that they are not based on an expert model of delivery (the sharing of information top down), but in collaborative learning (side by side), understanding that all members bring with them existing knowledge, rich experiences and a willingness to continue to learn. The pivotal difference is CoP's reoccur periodically, whereas Dialogue Den conversations are usually brief ONE TIME informal conversations.
Click here to register
For more information please contact the Professional Resource Centre at 519.748.5220 x 3388 or e-mail PRCinfo@conestogac.on.ca