Learning Communities

Although the term learning community sounds somewhat self-explanatory, the concept has special qualities that set it apart from the various communities where learning may take place— from the classroom, to the institution, to the larger sense of where people live and work. Then, within the context of the intercultural perspective, the concept takes on yet more vital qualities that differentiate it from many learning environments and approaches. It is critical to note from the beginning that multiple definitions of what a learning community is exist in the many contexts in which they function. The term will appear or change depending on the context and the users, for example, professional learning communities, dynamic learning communities, or communities of practice. This entry presents a definition and the ...