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The impact of communities of practice on masters dissertations: a small scale case Study of MSc project management students

  • Diane Richardson
    ,
  • Teslim Bukoye
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

Communities of Practice (CoPs) are known to increase knowledge sharing and personal development. In this pilot study in a UK higher education institution, we explored using CoPs with Postgraduate (Masters and PhD) students with a view to investigating the CoPs’ impact on the Masters students’ dissertation engagement and achievement. We conducted action research, forming 4 CoPs, each including 1 PhD student and approximately 3 MSc students. We analysed the 11 MSc Project Management students’ engagement, results and feedback and the 4 Project Management PhD researchers’ feedback using mixed methods from questionnaires, feedback forums and quantitative analysis of dissertation results (marks). We found four categories of outcome: (i) MSc students’ mode of communication with their CoP; (ii) MSc students’ contribution to their CoP; (iii) benefits to MSc students; and (iv) impact on MSc dissertation results. Our outcomes show that the CoP had an impact on MSc student engagement and performance, and indicate CoPs as worthy of further investigation for enhancing students’ learning experience.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of pedagogic development

Publication milestones

  • Published - 03/2018

Publication status

Published - 03/2018

ISSN

2047-3265

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/622548

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