Situated Learning Theory

Andrea Dyack

8 Feb 202004:18

Summary

TLDRSituated Learning Theory, developed by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, emphasizes learning within authentic contexts and cultures. It advocates for collaborative learning and real-life experiences. The theory involves authentic learning contexts, legitimate peripheral practice, and a community of practice. Tools like Nearpod facilitate this theory in online learning, allowing for virtual field trips and collaborative activities. Instructors must ensure authentic contexts, expert access, student collaboration, and reflection for effective learning.

Takeaways

📚 Situated Learning Theory was developed by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger in the late 1980s.
🌐 Learning is viewed as occurring within authentic contexts, cultures, and activities.
🤝 The theory emphasizes the importance of collaborative group settings for effective learning.
🌟 Learning is often unintentional and based on real-life experiences.
🏫 The theory consists of three main concepts: authentic learning contexts, legitimate peripheral participation, and community of practice.
👨‍🏫 Legitimate peripheral participation involves learning that is embedded in culture, activity, and context.
👥 Community of practice is developed through interaction and collaboration with peers and experts.
📈 Students start at the periphery of learning and move towards expertise through collaboration and scaffolding.
🏥 Examples of situated learning include internships, clinical settings, and field trips.
💻 Instructional designers can apply situated learning theory to web-based tools like Nearpod for online learning.
🔍 Instructors should consider authentic contexts, access to experts, student collaboration, and opportunities for reflection when applying the theory.

Q & A

What is the Situated Learning Theory?
-The Situated Learning Theory, developed by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger in the late 1980s, posits that learning occurs within authentic contexts, cultures, and activities, and is often unintentional. It emphasizes collaborative learning and real-life experiences.
Who developed the Situated Learning Theory?
-Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger developed the Situated Learning Theory.
What are the three main concepts of the Situated Learning Theory?
-The three main concepts are authentic learning contexts, legitimate peripheral participation, and the community of practice.
How does learning occur according to the Situated Learning Theory?
-Learning is embedded in culture, activity, and context, and occurs through collaboration and interaction with peers and experts.
What is meant by 'authentic learning contexts' in the Situated Learning Theory?
-Authentic learning contexts refer to real-life situations and activities where students engage in learning, simulating the actual environment they will encounter.
What is 'legitimate peripheral practice'?
-Legitimate peripheral practice is the process by which learners, often novices, participate in a community of practice from the periphery and gradually move towards the center as they gain expertise.
What is the role of a community of practice in the Situated Learning Theory?
-The community of practice is developed through interaction and collaboration with peers and experts, facilitating the sharing of knowledge and skills within the group.
How does the Situated Learning Theory apply to internships and cooperative placements?
-Internships and cooperative placements are examples of situated learning where students experience real-world work scenarios, applying their knowledge in authentic contexts.
Can you provide an example of a web-based tool that utilizes the Situated Learning Theory?
-Nearpod is an example of a web-based learning tool that incorporates the Situated Learning Theory, allowing for virtual field trips, collaboration, and reflection on learning.
What role does the instructor play in a learning environment based on the Situated Learning Theory?
-Instructors act as facilitators, providing scaffolding, authentic evaluation, and assessment to support students' learning journey within authentic contexts.
How can an instructional designer apply the Situated Learning Theory in an online environment?
-An instructional designer can apply the Situated Learning Theory by creating web-based tools that simulate real-life problems, provide access to experts, encourage collaboration, and allow for reflection and articulation of learning.
What are the key elements an instructor must consider when applying the Situated Learning Theory?
-Key elements include authentic contexts and activities, access to experts, student collaboration, opportunities for reflection, and the instructor's role as a facilitator.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Introduction to Situated Learning Theory

This paragraph introduces the Situated Learning Theory, developed by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger in the late 1980s. The theory posits that learning is best facilitated within authentic contexts, cultures, and activities, often unintentionally. It emphasizes the importance of collaborative learning and real-life experiences. The theory is composed of three main concepts: authentic learning contexts, legitimate peripheral practice, and the community of practice. The paragraph also discusses how students can progress from novices to experts through interaction and scaffolding. Examples of situated learning include internships, clinical settings, and field trips. Instructional designers can apply this theory in web-based tools like Nearpod, which allows for virtual field trips and collaborative learning.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Situated Learning Theory

Situated Learning Theory is an educational concept developed by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger in the late 1980s. It posits that learning is a function of the context in which it occurs, including the culture and the activities involved. This theory is central to the video's theme as it emphasizes learning within authentic settings and through social interaction, rather than as a product of formal instruction. The video illustrates this through examples such as internships and field trips where students engage with real-world scenarios.

💡Authentic Learning Contexts

Authentic Learning Contexts refer to real-world environments and activities that students engage in as part of their learning process. In the video, this concept is tied to the idea that learning is most effective when it is relevant and connected to actual experiences. An example given is a dental clinic where a student learns through observing and assisting a dental professional.

💡Legitimate Peripheral Practice

Legitimate Peripheral Practice is a concept introduced by Lave and Wenger, suggesting that learning begins on the periphery of a community's practice and gradually moves towards the center as learners become more proficient. The video uses this concept to explain how novices, through interaction and collaboration, can progress towards expertise within a field.

💡Community of Practice

A Community of Practice is a group of individuals who share a passion for learning and who interact and collaborate to develop their knowledge and skills. The video highlights the importance of this concept by showing how students can learn from both peers and experts within a subject area, thus creating a rich learning environment.

💡Collaborative Group Setting

A Collaborative Group Setting is an educational approach where students work together in a group to achieve a common goal. The video emphasizes that students learn better in such settings because they can share ideas, solve problems collectively, and learn from each other's perspectives.

💡Real-life Experiences

Real-life Experiences are practical, hands-on activities that simulate real-world scenarios. The video suggests that such experiences are crucial for effective learning as they allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts, thus enhancing understanding and retention.

💡Nearpod

Nearpod is mentioned in the video as an example of a web-based learning tool that incorporates Situated Learning Theory. It allows for the creation of interactive lessons that can be teacher-led or student-led, facilitating virtual field trips and group collaboration, which are key aspects of situated learning.

💡Scaffolding

Scaffolding in education refers to the temporary support provided by teachers to help students understand and complete tasks that would be too difficult for them to accomplish on their own. In the video, scaffolding is depicted as a process where instructors guide students, allowing them to gradually become independent learners.

💡Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer is a professional who designs and develops educational experiences and instructional materials. The video suggests that when applying Situated Learning Theory, instructional designers must consider creating authentic contexts, facilitating access to experts, and promoting student collaboration.

💡Reflection

Reflection is the process of thinking deeply about one's experiences to gain insights and understanding. The video mentions that students need opportunities to reflect and articulate their learning, which is a critical component of situated learning as it allows for deeper processing and integration of knowledge.

💡Facilitator

A Facilitator in an educational context is a teacher or instructor who guides students through the learning process rather than delivering direct instruction. The video explains that instructors should take on the role of facilitators to support students' learning journeys within a situated learning framework.

Highlights

Situated Learning Theory was developed by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger in the late 1980s.

Learning occurs within authentic contexts, cultures, and activities.

Situated learning is often unintentional.

Students learn better in collaborative group settings.

Learning activities should be based on real-life experiences.

Situated Learning Theory consists of three main concepts: authentic learning contexts, legitimate peripheral practice, and community of practice.

Authentic learning contexts include learning environments and student activities.

Legitimate peripheral practice embeds learning in culture, activity, and context.

Community of practice is developed through interaction and collaboration.

Students start at the periphery of learning and move towards expertise through collaboration and scaffolding.

Examples of situated learning include internships, cooperative placements, clinical settings, and field trips.

Instructional designers should consider Situated Learning Theory for web-based tools.

Online learning allows for opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.

Nearpod is an example of a web-based learning tool that utilizes Situated Learning Theory.

Instructors become facilitators in the learning process using web-based tools.

Authentic contexts and activities must simulate real-life problems and relevance.

Students must have access to experts in their field of study.

Collaboration among students is essential for knowledge creation.

Students need opportunities to reflect and articulate their learning.

Instructors should facilitate learning and provide authentic evaluation.

Situated learning environments immerse students in real-life experiences.

The social community in situated learning draws on prior knowledge and challenges new ideas.