Web-based Learning Solutions for Communities of Practice

Using Storytelling as the Pedagogical Model for Web-Based Learning
these people can play in introducing storytelling
is also suggested in the following.
1. A Champion is required to engender enthusiasm
for organizing meetings. The Champion
leads the organization of events, and manages
communications. Therefore, the champion
should lead the introduction of storytelling
as the new paradigm for interaction and
organize the tools and systems required for
telling, listening and retelling stories.
2. Members form the core of a CoP; they attend
meetings to share information, insights and
experiences. Participation by members in
discussions often raises new issues; therefore
they are expected to participate in meetings
actively, to learn as well as to impart their
knowledge to others. Storytelling can be new
to some members, and they may need some
training in creating engaging stories. MOD
will help such members in creating effective
stories and overcome any hesitation they
may have in relating their experiences.
3. A Facilitator takes on the responsibility
for keeping the communications going in
meetings, makes any clarifications, encourages
participation, ensures that all opinions
are heard, and advances discussions while
keeping them on topic. This can be applied
to face-to-face as well as virtual meetings.
Therefore, the facilitator will play a key role
in introducing and encouraging storytelling
as the new model of discourse.
4. A Practice Leader leads the CoP based on
his or her competence in a given domain.
Practice Leaders can change as the domain of
interaction shifts. Getting a Practice Leader
for advancing storytelling and all its facets in
a CoP will facilitate the introduction of this
new pedagogical model in a given CoP.
5. A Sponsor advances the cause of a CoP in an
organization by providing time, funding and
other resources. The Sponsor often guides
the development of the mission statement
and expected outcomes for the CoP. It will
help if the sponsor is enthusiastic about
introducing the storytelling paradigm to the
CoP, and provides support with time, funding
and the tools required to do the same.
Introducing Storytelling
with New Technology
Introducing new technology is always a challenge
in any workplace. Similarly, introducing a new
communication and learning paradigm can challenge
the way a CoP works.
While the development of new Web 2.0 tools
was proposed earlier, it is important to note that
the availability of such tools is not a prerequisite
for introducing storytelling to the CoP. Existing
systems such as MS Word and PowerPoint can be
used to create textual or multimedia stories respectively.
Other authoring systems are also available,
some of these target the creation of videos and
some the development of audio narrations.
For face-to-face meetings people can bring
in their well developed stories, and relate these
verbally or present them as multimedia presentations.
Web-based tools will be particularly useful
in virtual meetings. Initially, a simple information
sharing system can be used; such as email or collaborative
videoconferencing.
One of the problems in getting new Web tools
is that the development of new practice is not
always aligned with the direction taken by the
technology providers (Wenger, White, Smith,
& Rowe, 2005). Also, the solidarity shown by
some members in a CoP can lead to resistance in
introducing new innovative technology; though,
ideally, it should encourage innovation.
A significant effort may be required to adopt a
new tool, let alone develop it. Some members in
a CoP may resist the introduction of a new tool,
as it can shift the power structure, bring in new
members, and may seem like a distraction from the
core business of the community, at least for some
time (Wenger, White, Smith, & Rowe, 2005).
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