Wenger Reading.

'Communities of practise'

During 6^th Form I was a member of the girl’s football team and never realised that this meant I was part of a social ‘community of practise’ as put forward by Etienne Wenger and Jean Lave (1988).
The context of this ‘group’ was the common interest in the game and the wanting to learn and practise to play football, with the goal being the matches and tournaments put together by the local colleges and 6thforms.
The practice sessions were the social gatherings, where all members were friends and the idea of being part of a ‘team’ presented a ‘united front to outsiders’ and this was emphasised by the team’ kit.
Power was even an emphasis in this organisational unit because the adults, e.g. teachers, were the referees and the team captain (who could be considered, here, as an expert) would give game plans, instructions and techniques to help the rest of the members.

So it is easy to be part of an organisational unit without thinking of it in such a significant social context.