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What is shared? A framework for understanding shared innovation within communities

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Abstract

The twenty-first century economy often requires the innovative production of conceptual and physical artifacts. These innovations frequently are developed collaboratively within communities of workers. Previous theories about the nature of work and learning within communities have emphasized shared meaning or shared practice, but now shared innovation is required. In this paper, I describe the development of a model for conceptualizing and studying shared innovation within communities. This model was created from merging elements of social learning and creativity/innovation theories. I explain that at an intersection of these two domains is a unique kind of social structure, called a Community of Innovation, or COI. I conclude by describing the characteristics of a COI and its implications for design and research.

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Drs. Michael Hannafin, Janette Hill, Lloyd Rieber, Wendy Ruona, and Bonnie Cramond, as well as two anonymous reviewers, for their helpful feedback on previous versions of this article.

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  1. Learning and Performance Support Laboratory, University of Georgia, 611 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA, USA

    Richard E. West

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Correspondence to Richard E. West.

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This is a revised version of the winning paper for the 2008 “Young Scholar Award.”

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West, R.E. What is shared? A framework for understanding shared innovation within communities. Education Tech Research Dev 57, 315–332 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-008-9107-4

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