There are hundreds of eLearning developers working for a variety of government agencies across the state of Washington. Many are experts in specific aspects of eLearning such as accessibility or graphic design, but lack expertise in other areas. Being disconnected, developers resorted to Google searches and larger online communities to grow knowledge and skills. Utilizing these resources, we found many others in Washington state government who had the answers to our questions, and we had answers to theirs. We needed a way to come together, share ideas, trials, and build a community where it is safe to ask questions.
In this session you will learn about the evolution of Communities of Practices (CoPs) in Washington state government. We will explore two particular CoP’s and share our experiences building these groups, the stumbling blocks we encountered, and where they are today. In the end, attendees will be provided with tools to help start their own CoPs.