Reflections on the contexts of learning

contexts of learning:a view of community of practiceShurla Charles-ForbesMasters in Education, Adult Education CandidateYorkville UniversityCourse: EDUC 6303

OutlineWhat is Learning?Definition of Contexts of LearningCommunity of Practice (CoP)Implications What it means for learnersConclusion

What is learning?Merriam, Caffarella and Baumgartner (2007, p. 277) writing on the work of Illeris 2000; Ormrod, (1995), defines learning as a process that brings together cognitive, emotional, and environmental influences and experiences for acquiring, enhancing, or making changes in ones knowledge, skills, values, and worldviews.

Types of learning

FormalInformalNon-formal

Definition of contexts of learningLearning Context the set of circumstances that are relevant when someone needs to learn something. de Figueiredo (2005, p. 128).Context the set of circumstances that are relevant for the learner to build knowledge when referring to content. de Figueiredo (2005, p. 129).

Examples of learning contextClassroom

Website

De Figueiredo (2005, p. 130)

Example of Contexts of learningCommunity of Practice (CoP) groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn and how to do it better as they interact regularly. Wegner, (n.d.,p.1).

Origin of CoPLearning Theory the community that acts as a living curriculum for the apprentice coined by Wegner & Lave. Wegner (n.d., pp.3-4)Ollis (2011, p. 253) notes that Lave and Wengers development of a theory of adult learning which situates learning in social and community sites has contributed to understanding knowledge formation through informal learning.Seaman (2008, p. 270) stated that it was in an effort to provide perspective on learning and knowing within a social context.

CoP continuedCoP

Wenger, (n.d., p. 1) Everywhere

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Dimensions for CoPDomain shared interest

Community joint activities & discussions, help each other, share information

Practice practitioners shared repertoire

Wegner (n.d., p. 1-2)

Types of activitiesMeaningful ActivityShared ActivityCoordinative Activity

Akkerman, Petter and de Laat (2008, p. 385)

Distinction from a communityGoalShared practice

Seaman (2008, p. 270)

Forms of CoP

Wenger, (n.d., p. 3)

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Features of CoPLeadership comes from within the communitiesIt is about developing and sharing knowledgeExternal organizations may legitimize participation in the communityOriginated from business group practicesDevelop informally and are emergent

Features of CoP continuedMembers can be either core or peripheralWork collaborativelyInformally bound by what members do as well as what they knowAssumption that all knowledge is constructed narrativelyPrimary unit of analysis is the communityLearning is a social processFollows specific stages of developmentSeaman (2008, pp. 273-277 )

Application of CoPOrganizationGovernmentEducation AssociationsSocial sectorInternational development The webWenger (n.d., pp. 4-6)

Other terms for CoPLearning NetworksThematic GroupsTech ClubsWenger (n.d., p. 3)

implicationsCommon desire to improveThey are formed for improvementThere may be anonymity which strengthens the communityImprove the community as a whole (depending on the foci)Seaman (2008, pp. 277-278)

What does this mean for learners?Peer to Peer LearningProfessional DevelopmentHorizontal CommunitiesNew Learning PartnershipsRise of Social Media Wenger (2010, p. 7)

conclusionLearningContexts of LearningCommunity of PracticeImplications of Community of PracticeWhat it means for Learners

Thank you

referencesAkkerman, S., Petter, C.,& de Laat, M. (2008).Organising Communities-of-Practice: Facilitating Emergence. Journal of Workplace Learning 20. 6, 383-399.de Figueiredo, A. (2005). Learning Contexts: a Blueprint for Research. Interactive Educational Multimedia.Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., Baumgartner, L. (2007). Learning in Adulthood (3rd ed.) San Francisco, CA: Jossey-BassOllis, T. (2011)Learning in Social Action: The Informal and Social Learning Dimensions of Circumstantial and Lifelong Activists, Australian Journal of Adult Learning51, No. 2, 248-268.Seaman, M. (2008).Birds of a Feather?: Communities of Practice and Knowledge Communities, Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue.10, No. 1-2, 269-279,306.Wenger, E. (n.d.). Communities of Practice: A Brief Introduction: Retrieved on May 25, 2014 from: http:wenger-trayner.com/theoryWenger, E. (2010) Communities of Practice and Social Learning Systems: The Career of a Concept. In Blackmore, C. (Editor) Social Learning Systems and communities of practice. Springer Verlag and the Open University., E. (n.d.). Communities of Practice and Social Learning Systems: The Career of a Concept. Retrieved from http://wenger-trayner.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/09-10-27-CoPs-and-systems-v2.01.pdf June 07, 2014