In a first time, ePrep has particularly developed actions for the expansion and the development of "Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Ecoles" (CPGEs) in France and abroad, and, in this framework, has conducted watch activities, has produced several studies, and has organised international workshops.

The year 2006 offered to ePrep new opportunities, including a participation to the R&D projects supported by the European Commission (ePrep is one of the 14 partners of the PALETTE project), the organisation of thematic seminars every year, and the launching of a Community of Practice: the ePrep CoP.

At the end of 2008, after having fully conducted its mission for CPGEs, ePrep strongly reduces its specific actions for these classes and enlarges its activities for the whole first higher education cycle through four main axes: technology watch, research projects, organisation of thematic seminars, development of the ePrep CoP.

The launching of the ePrep CoP, arisen from the existing ePrep community of interest born in 2002, has been inspired and supported by PALETTE. Members of the ePrep CoP (around 40) are teachers in CPGEs or similar establishments, representatives from “Grandes Ecoles”, universities, research institutes, and training organisations. PALETTE researchers have analysed the needs of ePrep CoP members and proposed them to use advanced PALETTE tools and scenarios in order to more efficiently work together in the development of the various ePrep objectives.

 

The ePrep CoP is an open community sharing values like curiosity and open-mindedness, mutual respect and consideration, involvement and team spirit. 

Origin of the community: The launching of the ePrep CoP, arisen from the existing ePrep community of interest born in 2002, has been inspired and supported by PALETTE.

Openness of the group, evolution of members: The ePrep community of interest has a total of around 1000 members, including 40 core members of the ePrep CoP, new core members being welcomed if recommended by existing members.

Main intention: To launch and accompany innovative projects in the ICT for education domain, especially for the first higher education cycle in France and French-speaking countries.

Who moderates: The director of ePrep.

Modalities of knowledge management (in which purpose): Archives are all posted on the Website. Reification methods change activity by activity but consists most of the time in a production of a consolidated document (put online). Tools or methodology to explicit and share ePrep knowledge: newsletter, emailings, Web site.

Currently used technical services: Web site, newsletter, mailing lists, individual emails, conference calls.

 

Contact(s) inside the community: Nathalie Van de Wiele, director of ePrep

 

Possibilities to set up a focus group with users: Yes