SUNY Online Teaching Community of Practice
Connect ~ Share ~ Learn
According to anthropologist Etienne Wenger, a community of practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a craft or profession and who learn how to do it better through regular interaction. Members of a community of practice exist along a continuum—from novice to expert—and are united by a shared domain, a commitment to learning, and a willingness to share what they know.
Communities of practice require diversity and inclusivity; leadership; opportunities for engagement and space for interaction; experience and value creation for members; and clear structures and processes.
These elements are reflected throughout the SUNY Online Teaching Community of Practice and are supported through interconnected programs, including the SUNY Online Teaching Fellows Program, the SUNY Online Teaching Mentor Program, and the OSCQR Course Reviewer Network. Together, these programs provide the structures, spaces, and opportunities through which community members engage, contribute, and create value.
The SUNY Online Teaching Community of Practice is a long-standing, system-wide community of online teaching and learning practitioners, including faculty, instructional designers, technologists, librarians, administrators, and others interested in improving how people teach and learn online. This community has been shaped by more than 30 years of practice and is grounded in an apprenticeship model that values learning through mentoring, collaboration, and shared experience.
This community was born out of a specific context, has evolved over time, and continues to evolve to remain relevant and valuable to the practitioners it serves.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
A thriving community of practice has space for everyone—from those just beginning their journey in online education to those with deep expertise and leadership experience. As a community member, you should be able to see yourself represented and understand how you can participate, contribute, and grow.
SUNY Online has codified community participation into a set of Fellow roles, creating multiple pathways for engagement. These roles are intentionally inclusive, flexible, and developmental—not hierarchical.
The community also extends beyond SUNY itself through the Friend of SUNY role, welcoming perspectives from practitioners in other institutions and contexts that strengthen collective learning.
Leadership in the Community of Practice
Leadership within the SUNY Online Teaching Community of Practice is intentionally distributed. Community leadership is modeled and shared to support sustained engagement and collective ownership.
We:
- Model authentic, values-driven leadership
- Build trust and a shared sense of belonging
- Encourage generosity and openness in sharing practice
- Share leadership to support sustained engagement
Leadership is demonstrated through action—mentoring peers, sharing expertise, contributing to initiatives, and helping shape the future of online education across the system.
From Community to Programs
The SUNY Online Teaching Community of Practice is supported and activated through a set of interconnected programs, certifications, and recognition initiatives, including:
- SUNY Online Teaching Fellows Program
- SUNY Online Teaching Mentor Program
- OSCQR Course Reviewer Network
- Exemplary Online Courses for Observation Program
- Online Teaching Ambassador Recognition
- Effective Online Practices Community Awards
- OSCQR Certifications and Awards
These programs provide structured ways for you to engage, contribute, and be recognized for your work within the community.