Lave & Wenger
Situated Learning theory (lave, 1988; Lave & wenger, 1991)
This theory posits that:
- Learning will occur when a learner is participating in a real-world situation
- Learning will occur when participants through interactions with others in a situation or environment
- Learning is unintentional because it is naturally occurring within that environment
Communities of Practice
- Learners will construct meaning through a Community of Practice (CoP)
- A CoP encompasses a group of people with a collective goal or interest and the unique interactions that occur among group members and activities within the environment that facilitate learning
- Legitimate Peripheral Participation takes place when a learner moves from the periphery of a group toward the centre, where expert members reside, as they acquire more knowledge and actively participate within the group
- Many CoPs can be found in online environments to promote innovation, facilitate and share knowledge, and to develop social captial
examples of situated learning theory
Example 1 - Blog post on Situated Learning Theory
Mike Murphy describes how he uses Situated Learning Theory in an online learning environment and provides ideas for how other educators can use it with their students too. |
Example 2 - Virtual Researcher On Call (VROC)
VROC connects students in K-12 classrooms with experts across a variety of subjects through interactive video calls. These experts become part of the community of practice that is supporting student learning in the topic area. |
contributors to situated learning theory
Jean Lave
Etienne Wenger
Etienne Wenger
References
[Alkydale]. (2011, November 16). Situated Learning and Communities of Practice Video [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roKJbwCLNBs
David L., "Situated Learning Theory (Lave)," in Learning Theories, Retrieved from https://www.learning-theories.com/situated-learning-theory-lave.html.
Lave, J. (1988). Cognition in practice: Mind, mathematics, and culture in everyday life. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1990). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
[Alkydale]. (2011, November 16). Situated Learning and Communities of Practice Video [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roKJbwCLNBs
David L., "Situated Learning Theory (Lave)," in Learning Theories, Retrieved from https://www.learning-theories.com/situated-learning-theory-lave.html.
Lave, J. (1988). Cognition in practice: Mind, mathematics, and culture in everyday life. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1990). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.