Theory Name: Situated Learning

Authors: Jean Lave

Associated Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory

Model Description
1. Social interaction allows learner to become member of a community of practice.
2. Experience in the community of practice allows the learner to become an expert contributor.
3. Situated learning is a general theory of knowledge acquisition but has been used to design instruction in technology rich environments.
4. The lack of prescribed instructional strategies limits situated learning as an ID theory.

Specification of Theory
(a) Goals and preconditions
1. The learner must have an expert from which to apprentice.
2. The learner must have the opportunity to practice the skills of the expert under supervision.

(b) Principles & (c) Condition of learning
1. Knowledge needs to be presented in an authentic context
2. Learning requires social interaction and collaboration.

(d) Required media
Computer based technology is optional.

(e) Role of facilitator
1. Provide a framework for the students to work within the instructional module. Serve as a coach for students in need of assistance.
2. Provide access to experts as students solve problems.

(f) Instructional strategies

(g) Assessment method

Formative Research & Application
(a) Tested context
(b) Research method
(c) Research description: In all cases researched by Lave and Wegner, a gradual acquisition of knowledge took place as novices learned from experts.
(d) Resources
http://tip.psychology.org/lave.html