Use of Communities of Practice in a Self-assessment Process Utilized by an Institution of Higher Learning

Abstract:

This case study examines and highlights the use of communities of practice in a self-assessment processes and managerial practices utilized by an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL) as an integral part of its continued accreditation by its regional accrediting agency. In the self-assessment study, IHL successfully incorporated and used the communities of practices to prepare evidence of quality and rigor of its academic programs and student-learning achievements in anticipation of the continued accreditation visit by its regional accrediting agency. IHL also successfully demonstrated to its accrediting agency the effective use of the outcomes obtained from its self-assessment process to change its curricula and introduce new degrees and programs to maintain the quality and rigor of its academic programs and student-learning achievements as required by the accrediting agency.