Title:
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PREPARING STUDENTS FOR EFFECTIVE WORKPLACE COLLABORATION |
Author(s):
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Mae Mcsporran , Caroline King |
ISBN:
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972-98947-1-X |
Editors:
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Pedro IsaĆas and Nitya Karmakar |
Year:
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2002 |
Edition:
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2 |
Keywords:
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Collaboration groups, Communities of Practice, COP . |
Type:
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Full Paper |
First Page:
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250 |
Last Page:
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256 |
Language:
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English |
Cover:
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Full Contents:
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click to dowload
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Paper Abstract:
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Collaboration in the workplace is essential if one is to work effectively. Highly developed interpersonal skills facilitate collaboration, but, as lecturers, we are being encouraged to distance ourselves from the students and it is becoming increasingly difficult to develop these skills in our students. Without these skills they will find it difficult, when joining a company, to break into the best vehicle for collaboration, a Community of practice (COP). This is a small group of people held together by a common sense of purpose and a real need to know what each other knows. There are many definitions of COPs in the workplace and elsewhere, and copious suggestions on how to set up and maintain one. But how does one break into an established COP, or cope with an unformed or disintegrating unit? This is difficult enough for mature, experienced, competent and confident professionals, but can be overwhelming for young undergraduates. This paper examines the strategies that students can employ to maximise the work experience benefits by being assimilated into a living, breathing COP. It also discusses the pedagogical issues involved in preparing the students to take advantage of these strategies. |
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