The characteristics of community practice in a professional development unit for teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The research field selected for this study has been a professional development (PD) unit, for science teachers, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a well-established educational institution that promotes science education. The goal of this research was to diagnose the function of the three dimensions of community of practice: mutual engagement, joint enterprise, and shared repertoire during the COVID-19 period. The findings show that the features of mutual engagement remained solid, yet the COVID-19 crisis somewhat undermined the joint venture of the practical community that was perceived as a luxury in times of crisis.

Keywords

• Community of practice
• Professional development of teachers
• Organizational learning
• COVID-19 as a crisis event