Analysis of Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger's Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation

Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger's Situated Learning theory shifted the focus of cognitive science and pedagogy from individual cognition to social context, emphasizing the importance of interaction with experts and peers in a community of practice. This led to a new hypothesis that learning is a continuously evolving set of relationships situated within a social context, with a significant impact on business and management scholarship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2018
Publisher: Macat International Limited

Social anthropologist Jean Lave and computer scientist Etienne Wengers groundbreaking Situated Learning revolutionized the fields of cognitive science and pedagogy by taking a fresh approach to learning. Traditionally, theories of learning and education had centered on cognitive processes, the mental processes involved in knowledge formation within individuals. Lave and Wenger, however, chose to view learning not as an individual endeavor but as a social one.

A subtle but transformative shift in emphasis was all that was needed to reveal a completely different perspective. Situated Learning exemplified and emphasized that learning is inherently tied to its social context. While the most effective way to learn is through interaction with experts and peers in a community driven by a shared passion, the traditional cognitive learning model failed to account for the dynamic nature of learners' interactions with their 'community of practice.

In response, Lave and Wenger developed a new hypothesis that learning can be perceived as a constantly evolving network of relationships situated within a social framework. This groundbreaking perspective allowed Lave and Wenger to reimagine discussions on apprenticeship and workplace learning, placing them on a new and more profound footing. As a result, their work had a profound impact on business and management scholarship.

Through Situated Learning, Lave and Wenger challenged the notion that learning is solely the product of individual cognitive processes and emphasized the importance of social context in shaping learning outcomes. They showed that learning is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills but also about developing a sense of belonging and identity within a community. This perspective has had a lasting impact on education and training practices, as it encourages educators to create learning environments that are more inclusive, collaborative, and relevant to the needs of learners.

In conclusion, Situated Learning by Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger was a seminal work that transformed the fields of cognitive science and pedagogy by shifting the focus from individual cognitive processes to social contexts. Their innovative hypothesis on learning as a continuously evolving set of relationships within a social context has had a profound impact on education and training practices, encouraging educators to create more inclusive and effective learning environments.

Weight: 112g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912128617