| Session Title: Topical Interest Groups (TIGs) as Communities of Practice: Strategies for Building a Community of Practice |
| Think Tank Session 133 to be held in Palos Verdes B on Wednesday, Nov 2, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Sponsored by the AEA Conference Committee |
| Presenter(s): |
| Manolya Tanyu, American Institutes for Research, mtanyu@air.org |
| Discussant(s): |
| Tom McKlin, The Findings Group LLC, tom@thefindingsgroup.com |
| Sheila Robinson Kohn, Greece Central School District, sbkohn@rochester.rr.com |
| Chad Green, Loudoun County Public Schools, chad.green@loudoun.k12.va.us |
| Tiffany Berry, Claremont Graduate University, tiffany.berry@cgu.edu |
| James Sass, Rio Hondo College, jimsass@earthlink.net |
| Javan Ridge, Colorado Springs School District 11, ridgejb@d11.org |
| James P Van Haneghan, University of South Alabama, jvanhane@usouthal.edu |
| Anane Olatunji, Alignment Ed LLC, aolatunji@alignmenteducation.com |
| Abstract: Over the past few years, the PreK-12 Educational Evaluation Topical Interest Group (TIG) has worked to solidify its own leadership and better communicate with its members. In the process of doing this, we have asked several other TIGs about their activities and what they do to form a community of practice. This Think Tank will summarize the range of activities AEA TIGs perform to build strong communities. It also aims to facilitate a conversation among leaders and members of AEA's 46 TIGS about the purpose of the TIGs and ways to encourage the development of online and distant communities of practice as a growing venue of professional development. |