Empowerment Through Community Of Practice (CoP) Increases Self-Efficacy and Belonging of Undergraduate Students

Location

SU-216

Department

Engineering

Abstract

Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do. CoP can significantly increase a student’s sense of belonging and self-efficacy (how well one can execute a course of action to deal with a prospective situation), leading to greater academic success. Participation in extracurricular or co-curricular activities has been shown to increase a sense of belonging in the profession. However, many undergraduate students, especially from community colleges, diverge from their goals due to external barriers ranging from work, to familial, and other responsibilities that prevent them from fully committing to academics and participating in extracurricular or co-curricular activities. We hypothesize that engagement in extracurricular and co-curricular activities, such as participation in organizations, promotes CoP that consequently increases belonging and self-efficacy. To test this hypothesis, we created a survey to examine students’ co-curricular and extra participation, belonging and self-efficacy, as well as conducting case-study interviews through the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) method. The survey responses consist of 200 participants ranging from community college to undergraduate students at 4-year institutions. The preliminary results suggest that engagement in extracurricular or co-curricular activities through community of practice empowers students’ self-efficacy and sense of belonging. Students that engage in these extra and co-curricular activities found that they experienced positive impacts in their lives—ranging from increased confidence, increased professional aptitude, and an increased sense of community. Although students experienced different barriers, they expressed willingness to continuously participate and take on more responsibilities. Currently, we are conducting case interviews through the AI method to further validate our survey outcome. The AI method will allow us to further understand what components are supporting students’ success. To ensure greater access to those components. Although our results are preliminary there is an indication that Community of Practice increases belonging and self-efficacy. To strengthen our research we will increase the survey size and we will conduct more case study interviews.

Faculty Sponsor

Doris Espiritu, Wilbur Wright College

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Apr 28th, 12:00 PM

Empowerment Through Community Of Practice (CoP) Increases Self-Efficacy and Belonging of Undergraduate Students

SU-216

Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do. CoP can significantly increase a student’s sense of belonging and self-efficacy (how well one can execute a course of action to deal with a prospective situation), leading to greater academic success. Participation in extracurricular or co-curricular activities has been shown to increase a sense of belonging in the profession. However, many undergraduate students, especially from community colleges, diverge from their goals due to external barriers ranging from work, to familial, and other responsibilities that prevent them from fully committing to academics and participating in extracurricular or co-curricular activities. We hypothesize that engagement in extracurricular and co-curricular activities, such as participation in organizations, promotes CoP that consequently increases belonging and self-efficacy. To test this hypothesis, we created a survey to examine students’ co-curricular and extra participation, belonging and self-efficacy, as well as conducting case-study interviews through the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) method. The survey responses consist of 200 participants ranging from community college to undergraduate students at 4-year institutions. The preliminary results suggest that engagement in extracurricular or co-curricular activities through community of practice empowers students’ self-efficacy and sense of belonging. Students that engage in these extra and co-curricular activities found that they experienced positive impacts in their lives—ranging from increased confidence, increased professional aptitude, and an increased sense of community. Although students experienced different barriers, they expressed willingness to continuously participate and take on more responsibilities. Currently, we are conducting case interviews through the AI method to further validate our survey outcome. The AI method will allow us to further understand what components are supporting students’ success. To ensure greater access to those components. Although our results are preliminary there is an indication that Community of Practice increases belonging and self-efficacy. To strengthen our research we will increase the survey size and we will conduct more case study interviews.