A survey of current research on online communities of practice.

This literature review highlights the potential development of communities of practice through networked technology and remote collaboration. Communities of practice are characterized by diverse expertise, fluid movement from novice to expert, and authentic tasks and communication. Virtual communities, enabled by current technology, can facilitate the emergence of communities of practice, but also present challenges such as participant attrition. The author recommends further research, including a proposed case study, to explore the dynamics of communities of practice in virtual environments.