Professional development for information communication technology integration: identifying and supporting a community of practice through design-based research

Research suggests effective classroom ICT integration occurs through needs-based, collaborative professional development (Chandra-Handa, 2001; Cuttance, 2001; Figg, 2000; Gibson, Oberg, & Pelz, 1999; Gross, 2000; Haughey, 2002). A community of practice (CoP) (Wenger, 1998; Wenger, McDermott, & Snyder, 2002) can be an effective mode of such collaborative professional development. A synthesis of the literature enabled the construction of the concept that a CoP, investigated through a design-based research methodology, can contribute to effective ICT integration research. Principles for this research approach are discussed and address the membership of a CoP and teacher/researcher ownership of research goals and design.