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Online Learning Communities What are Learning Communities? Learning Communities are a group of people who work together and share common values, beliefs, visions and goals. They are actively engaged in learning from each other. The major principle of learning communities is that people learn more when they work together rather than on their own.

Where were Learning Communities invented? Learning Communities have a long history, with different titles, but similar philosophies. In 1991, Peter Senge and his colleagues founded the Center for Organizational Learning at MIT. The center was organized as a collaboration of corporations, working in partnership with researches, to study learning organizations. The original focus was on developing new learning capabilities in the areas of systems thinking, collaborative inquiry, and nuturing personal and shared vision. The focus was applied to schools with the publication of Senge's third book, // Schools That Learn //.

Guiding Principals: **Drive to Learn** All human beings are born with an innate, lifelong desire and ability to learn, which should be enhanced by all organizations. People learn best from and with one another, and participation in learning communities is vital to their effectiveness, well-being and happiness in any work setting. The capacities and accomplishments of organizations are inseparable from, and dependent on, the capacities of the learning communities which they foster. Organizations must develop individual and collective capabilities to understand complex, interdependent issues; engage in reflective, generative conversation; and nurture personal and shared aspirations. **Cross-Organizational Collaboration** Learning communities that connect multiple organizations can significantly enhance their capacity for profound individual and organizational chang e. more about the Society for Organizational Learning: []
 * Learning is Social**
 * Learning Communities**
 * Core Learning Capabilities**

Online Learning Communities are not a threat to education, but rather a positive addition to help learners collaborate. Please take a look at the following video for an example of teachers collaborating: media type="youtube" key="-VJ_D-yVjjw" height="344" width="425" How do Learning Communities work? People come together (online or in person) with a common mission, a common vison, shared values and goals. Learning takes place by communication, criticism, dialogue, and collaboration. Although not all Learning Communities are online, the examples in this Wiki are web-based, using Web 2.0 tools. These online Learning Communities are virtual learning platforms, associated with many social networking tools in a safe environment. Who sells Learning Communities? Indpendent private companies may offer subscriptions to join online Learning Communities. Tools are usually included in the subscription.

What are the costs? Some online Learning Communities are free while others can be quite costly. Please view individual examples for more information on pricing.

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