Building Faculty Interest and Capacity in Assessment through Communities of Learning, Inquiry, and Practice (CLIPs)

A new tool to link sustainable change to strategic planning is now just a mouse click away.

Are you involved in organization and social change initiatives? A set of online modules presents you with an effective method to work collaboratively with others to identify, inquire about, and make practical changes that helps you move in a desired direction.

These online how-to modules provide instrutions and examples to create Communities of Learning, Inquiry, and Practice—CLIPs.

The CLIP process uses a research-based flexible structure for self-selected groups to collaboratively investigate questions that matter to them. At the same time, CLIPs support, and are supported by, an organization's broader change intentions.

Research results show that the CLIP process 1) builds collaborative relationships, 2) enhances inquiry skills, and 3) leads to changes in professional practice among the participants.

CLIPs are highly adaptable. You can use them in education, social service, health, business, and community change initiatives.

InSites developed the modules based on testing the CLIP process at Bakersfield College in California through action research supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under grant #0335581. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Press below to see an overview of CLIPs.

Click here for a brochure about CLIPs.

Contact InSites at info@insites.org for information or consultation about the CLIP process.

CLIP Online Learning Modules

The modules feature video vignettes where CLIP team facilitators and members share their CLIP experiences and observations. The modules include downloadable resources to support individual and collaborative inquiry. These include examples of CLIP documents and in-depth reference materials.

Here's what you'll find in the seven CLIP modules:

Module 1—explains what CLIPs are

Module 2—sets out the Guiding Principles for CLIPs

Module 3-5—explain the inquiry steps

Module 6—explains the role of CLIP Facilitators

Module 7—describes how the CLIP Guide coordinates multiple CLIPs and aligns them with other change strategies

Click here to go to the modules where you will find a link to download a copy of the Online Learning Modules, or you may click here to download the modules.

The modules are free shareware through InSites.