Communities of Practice (CoP)

Communities of Practice (CoPs) are groups of people who share common concerns, passions, or interests in topics, who come together to fulfill both individual and group goals. Communities of Practice focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance professional practices. Interaction is an important part of this process.  

CoPs will include various levels of audiences: STCC Campus, Division and Departments.
Check the STCC Calendar of Events or the PD Workshop Schedule/Calendar for dates, times and links for professional development opportunities.

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs): What You Need to Know

Capstone

Capstone projects can take many forms: e-Portfolios, presentations, multimedia presentations etc. and allow students to showcase the knowledge, skills, and competencies they have acquired during their academic program. Join the conversation and learn how to bring capstones into your teaching. Monthly meetings are virtual. Mark your calendars.

Culturally Relevant Teaching (CRT) & Equity

Culturally relevant teaching works to challenge and remedy inequities by creating a more inclusive culture of the classroom, one that welcomes, supports, and respects all of our students and values their cultures and communities. Join the conversation to discuss theory of integrating culturally relevant practices into your interactions with students. Monthly meetings are virtual. Mark your calendars. All are welcome.

Inclusive Language Resource 

Dates for Culturally Relevant & Equity Community of Practice

Technology 

Starting Fall 2023, STCC will have a new Community of Practice dedicated to campus technologies. The goal is to focus on one technology each semester. 

The technology for Spring 2024 is ScreenPal (formally known as Screencast-O-Matic). Spring 2024 meetings are virtual via Zoom. See the full workshop schedule calendar for details and mark your calendars.

What is ScreenPal? 

ScreenPal is a screen video recording tool that allows faculty to create short lectures. With embedded quizzing, faculty can enhance student learning. Learn more about ScreenPal at STCC. 

What are the dates and topics for the Technology CoP: ScreenPal?

Transparency in Learning & Teaching [TILT]

Starting in October 2023, Mary Ann Winklemes will moderate the STCC CoP | TILT workshops on a monthly basis. 'TILT', which stands for Transparency in Learning and Teaching, involves making minor adjustments to teaching practices. These adjustments are based on an evidence-backed framework that showcases how such changes can equitably enhance student success. Plan to attend to learn how to TILT your student facing documents and practices. Faculty & staff are welcomed. 

Consult the Workshops Schedule for dates/times of 2024-25 monthly meetings. 

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

The Universal Design for Learning Community of Practice is an opportunity for STCC faculty and staff to share ideas and practical teaching strategies. Spring 2024 will have a mix of virtual (Zoom), hybrid (Zoom or in person), and fully in person meetings. See the full workshop schedule calendar for details and mark your calendars.

What are the dates for the UDL CoP?

We will use individual teaching practices, web resources, and the CAST UDL guidelines as foundations for our discussion. Each meeting focuses on one topic currently being implemented in an STCC course. In participating in the Universal Design for Learning Community of Practice, you will:

STEM Focused Culturally Relevant Teaching (CRT) & Equity

 This CoP is on pause for the 2023-24 academic year. Join STEM faculty as the dive deeper into CRT as it applies to STEM faculty, courses and student interaction. Meetings are virtual. Mark your calendars.

This guide, from Wenger-Traynor, is an exemplar and to support CoPs members leading in drafting a STCC CoPs Practice Guide.

CoP Guide .pdf

Durable Skills Wheel

Unlocking human potential, which leads to mobility and equity, relies on a combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in the workforce. Like knowledge or technical abilities, fluency and mastery of Durable Skills across the workforce isn’t something that will just happen – we need intentional, strategic policies, and practices that strengthen the linkages between education and workforce.