Name: Carol
It is common for people to seek models of best practices when designing programs and materials. Scholarly activity is grounded in the notion that the scholar has researched to find best practices. We hang our hat on the notion that the Faculty Guidebook and our institutes are based on best practices. This one needs an expanded definition.
Name: Steve B
For the extended definition we might adapt the second half of the wikipedia abstract... The idea behind identifying and cultivating best practices, is with proper implementation and testing, a desired outcome can be delivered with fewer problems and unforeseen complications. Best practices can also be defined as the most efficient (least amount of effort) and effective (best results) way of accomplishing a task, based on procedures that can be replicated and have proven themselves over time for large numbers of people.
Name: Beth
See what you think of this Extended Definition: All scholarly activity begins with a review of the work that has already been done in the subject area concerned. When people are designing programs and materials, they commonly seek models of best practices. Best practices can be defined as the most effective and efficient way of accomplishing a task: that is, practices that achieve the best results by expending the least amount of effort. These practices or procedures, which have proven themselves over time for large numbers of people, can be identified, cultivated, and replicated by others. With proper implementation and testing of best practices, desired outcomes can be achieved with fewer problems and unforeseen complications.