Formation and Growth of Village Education Community as a Community of Practice : Focusing on the case of ‘Hak Village Community’

This study analyzed the formation and growth process of the village education community from the perspective of the Community of Practice (CoP). Using a case study method, it explored the formation of the 'Hak Village Community' in a newly developed apartment area near a metropolis. The research focused on resident activists' participation and practices in establishing learning centers for children and adolescents based on Wenger’s (1998) CoP framework. Learning is a practical process that individuals rediscover their role and lead the growth of community together through interaction beyond simply building knowledge. The results of the analsis are as follows. First, resident activists accumulated practical knowledge through mutual cooperation by participating in village education. Second, they formed a mutual benefit relationship by sharing their skills and knowledge acquired from various educational activities with residents. Third, resident activists identified the necessary competencies and implemented concrete actions in managing educational programs. These CoP-based activities significantly contributed to resolving village issues and establishing a sustainable educational community.