Abstract:

In 2020 during COVID-19 lockdowns, a small group of Australasian Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) practitioners gathered online for semi-regular conversations. The purpose of this small significant network group (SSONG) was to provide support for one another as we navigated WIL education during this time of turmoil.

Reflecting on their SSONG experience two years later, the authors realised these small online group conversations provided the means to engage at a deeper level with likeminded individuals, without restrictions arising from differences in physical location. SSONG members could share alternative viewpoints with ease and interest because they were familiar with one another, yet from diverse perspectives including disciplines, location, experience and background, hence adding to the richness of their conversations. Out of this, and in discussions with a third New Zealand based academic, WILspace was conceptualised.

WILspace is an online international community of practice, comprising of multiple SSONGs. It was launched at World Association of Cooperative Education (WACE) in June 2023, where WIL practitioners were invited to register their interest. The first WIL SSONG conversations were held in November 2023.

We report on our experience in developing and managing this international community of practice. A key aim of the initiative was to facilitate meaningful discussions about WIL related issues, extending conversations beyond the physical environment of an international conference or a WIL-related course. Topics & prompts developed by the WILspace team were used to activate these conversations, after which each SSONG provided feedback on their discussions via an email to the facilitators. These resources were then summarised and shared via the WILspace website. Following each conversation, feedback was also obtained from SSONG members via a short Qualtrics survey. It was important to the authors that we were able to measure the success of this innovative initiative. Ethics approval (AUTEC 22/329) had been gained from both University Ethics Committees prior to the launch of the global conversation platform.

In this paper we identify, examine and reflect on our successes and challenges in maintaining conversations with an international group membership, across multiple time zones. To date, evaluations suggest support for the initiative is strong amongst active participants, however there is evidence of continuing challenges in maintaining these conversations. Strategies are presented to facilitate implementation and management of future online communities of practice, based on the use of SSONGs.

Keywords:

Work-Integrated Learning, WIL, International Community of Practice, online community, SSONG, global network.