LEARNING
OBJECTIVE
Explain the concept of situated learning and
how learning is influenced by social context
and real-world experiences.
JEAN LAVE’S SITUATED LARNING
• Jean Lave is an American anthropologist and educator, widely
recognized for her work in the fields of learning theory,
education, and cultural anthropology. She is best known for her
pioneering contributions to situated learning and the concept of
communities of practice, which she developed alongside her
collaborator Etienne Wenger.
What Situated Learning?
• Situated Learning is an instructional approach developed by Jean Lave and
Etienne Wenger in the early 1990s. They claimed that students are more
inclined to learn by actively participating in the learning experience. Situated
Learning is a matter of creating meaning from the real activities of daily
living where learning occurs relative to the teaching environment. Situated
learning involves students in cooperative activities where they are challenged
to use their critical thinking and kinesthetic activities.
Examples of Situated Learning Activities
• Field trips where students actively participate in an unfamiliar environment
• Cooperative education and internshipexperiences in which students are
immersed and physically active in an actul work environment
• Music and Sports (physical eduction) practice which replicate actual setting of
these events, e.g, orchestras, studios, training facilities
• Laboratories and child-care center used as classroom in which students are
involved in activities which replicate actual work setting
Key Elements of Situated Learning
• Participation: Active engagement in a community of practice is at the heart
of situated learning. Learners gain knowledge and skills by participating in
real-world tasks, interacting with others, and contributing to the community’s
goals. Community of practice is a group of people who share a passion or
interest and learn from each other.
• Context: Learning occurs in a particular context, and this context shapes the
kind of knowledge that is acquired. Context includes the environment,
culture, tools, and activities associated with the community or practice.
Key Elements of Situated Learning
• Context: Learning occurs in a particular context, and this context shapes the
kind of knowledge that is acquired. Context includes the environment,
culture, tools, and activities associated with the community or practice.
• Ex. Instead of learning about fractions in a traditional way, a situated learning
approach would involve students baking a cake, where they need to measure
ingredients accurately using fractions to achieve desired result.
Key Elements of Situated Learning (Cont.)
• Social Interaction: Learning is inherently social and occurs through
interactions with others, particularly those who are more experienced in the
community (e.g., mentors, peers, experts), group projects, peer tutoring, class
discussions, collaborative learning platforms
• Authenticity: Learning is tied to real-world problems and activities that are
meaningful to the learner, often reflecting the actual practices and challenges
of the field. It is making the material more relevant to their real-life
experiences. EX. Conducting research projects on local issues, Role Playing
Key Elements of Situated Learning (Cont.)
• Cognitive Apprenticeship: As part of situated learning, a learner’s
development is shaped by the process of cognitive
apprenticeship—learning from a mentor or expert in a practical context
through observation, guided practice, and feedback. EX. Modeling- Experts
demonstrate the task, Scaffolding – Teachers provide support and guidance,
gradually reducing assistance as competence grows, Coaching- Active
feedback and guidance are given , helping them identify areas for
improvement and refine strategies, Articulation, and Reflection- analyze their
performances, identifying strengths and weaknesses for improvement.
Implications of Situated Learning for
Education
• Hands-On, Real-World Learning: Teachers can create learning
environments that closely mirror the real world, where students are engaged
in meaningful, practical tasks and activities. This could include project-based
learning, apprenticeships, internships, or other experiential learning
opportunities.
Implications of Situated Learning for
Education (Cont.)
• Mentorship: Teachers or mentors can act as guides who help students move
from peripheral participation to full involvement in the community of
practice, offering feedback, encouragement, and modeling expertise.
• Mentorship: Teachers or mentors can act as guides who help students move
from peripheral participation to full involvement in the community of
practice, offering feedback, encouragement, and modeling expertise.
• Contextualized Learning: Learning activities should be designed to reflect
the context in which students will use their knowledge. This can involve
real-world case studies, fieldwork, or connecting academic learning to
everyday practices.
• How can you apply situated learning theory in a diverse classroom? 20 pts.
