TEL 431: Learning in Workplaces

L5 Activity

Experiential Learning
Construct: Situated Learning & Community of Practice

Name: Emily Bourne

Date: April 16, 2017
Your Assigned Facilitator: Dr. Foulger

NOTE: Please bold all your responses so nothing is missed when your work is assessed.

You have learned about the theory of situated learning, and have discussed some common
models for situated learning in your small group discussions.

This activity pertains to your future target job, by applying situated learning principles.

SITUATED LEARNING EXPLAINED

Based on your small group discussion board activity, define your understanding of situated
learning (first paragraph) and the various models that make use of the theory (second
paragraph). You should include 4 or more in-text citations and quotes from readings provided as
well as the resources shared in your small group discussions. Add these sources to the
reference list below. (300-400 words)
(12 pts, 3 for each of the 4 scholarly sources referenced):
Situated learning can be understood as learning takes place in social situations
with other people (Digby). We can also understand it that when we place these learners
in to a realistic circumstance where they will have to work with others we can expect to
see that will take place. With the help of andragogy, apprenticeships, coaching,
communities of practice, internships, shadowing, service learning and finally
trajectories, can help shape and guide us to discover skills needed in situated learning.
Overall this will lead us to mastering and discovering our communities of practice, where
you will find numerous that you belong in.
Diving into these categories under situated learning will help us succeed in
mastering the skills necessary. Knowles' theory of andragogy is an attempt to develop a
theory specifically for adult learning. Knowles emphasizes that adults are self-directed
and expect to take responsibility for decisions (Andragogy). Electricians often learn
the trade by being in an apprentice program (MBA, 2017). Coaching can be understood
as, a process that enables learning and development to occur and thus performance to
improve. To be a successful a Coach requires a knowledge and understanding of
process as well as the variety of styles, skills and techniques that are appropriate to the
context in which the coaching takes place (Coaching and Mentoring). Communities of
practice see as groups that, have a passion for their interest/subjecta desire to do it
betterand they interact regularly for this very purpose with other members
(Communities of Practice, n.d., p.1). Next Gearheart informs us on a statistic about
internships. He said, sixty-nine percent of companies with 100 plus employees ended
up offering their interns full-time positions back in 2012 (Gearheart). We can understand
shadowing as a part of an internship or being apart of a simple volunteer opportunity.
When attached to a classroom course, a student may spend several hours a week
volunteering in an agency, supporting co-curricular activities, shadowing a professional
in the field, or observing people in their natural environments (Experimental Learning).
Then we have service learning, which is, a process of involving student in community
service activities combined with facilitated means for apply the experience to their
academic and personal development (Office of Civic Engagement & Service Learning).
Lastly, trajectories in education can be thought of as, the path by which learning might
proceed (Calori, Divitini and, Rossitto)
My word count: 392

ESTABLISH A SITUATED LEARNING GOAL

Here is an example goal from my life: As an expert in teaching with technology, I would like to
be more supportive and resourceful to other facultyas a leader and a role model. I am
interested in addressing this leadership goal because I have had instructors from bioscience at
ASU ask me to help them improve their teaching, and that situation made me feel that I have
not been visible enough in some of ways I use technology in my teaching. I think this goal will
help me expand my ability to support the use of technology in teaching and learning from my
current PreK-12 focus to a broader range, PreK-20.

What area of your future target job do you feel most inadequate? Explain the situation. (75-100
words) (3 pts):
My future job is an Elementary Special Education teacher. I feel that I am
inadequate on the topics of how to right up an IEP and the many differences of
disabilities that I might find in my classroom. Doing ASU online I was unable to pursue a
career strictly in Special Ed. So I was not assigned to a classroom to do student teaching
because I am not on campus. So if I was placed in student teaching I might have been
able to learn from that teacher about IEPs and the different disabilities that make up their
class.
My word count: 99

How will addressing this area of your future practice help you to proactively be a more adequate
in terms of 21st century competencies, more prepared for the specifics of a particular
organization, or a more qualified and cutting-edge professional in the job market? (100-125
words) (5 pts):
My goal is to research and discover how I can gain more knowledge about the
different disabilities that might come thought my classroom doors. I look forward to
earning the differences between the disabilities as well as how I can depict them from
one another. I hope to learn how each child learns best to help them reach their academic
goals. Also I will strive to use resources to better understand the format of an IEP, as well
as, all that needs to be included in one. I think that right now the best was for me to
prepare and gain knowledge is through the Internet and talking with Mrs. Conner and
Mrs. Gordy.
My word count: 114

Situated learning will probably not address this goal in its entirety, but can support your
development in some ways. In what way(s) can your involvement in situated learning support
other activities you might participate in to more deeply support your development in this area?
(150-200 words)(7 pts):
I will be able to become apart of communities of practice were we will have the
opportunity to gain more knowledge with the help of new information, as well as, the
information others in the group would want to share. I already have a little mentor
session going on under Mrs. Gordy. She helps guide me into the right directions in
regards to the people I need to talk to about a jog as well as helping with my resume. I
am excited to continue my learning, as I become a teacher in the Special Ed profession. I
have the understanding that my, learning will take place in social situations with other
people (Digby). Through out the school day I am in a social setting with other teachers,
faculty, administration, and students. I will continue to gain insight on topics in different
situations as come up during the school day/week/year.
My word count: 150

Explain why you think it is appropriate for you to address this goal using a situated learning
approach. Specifically, how do you envision situated learning models being used? Include in-
text citations to reference at least 2 sources. Add these references to the Reference list below.
(175-200 words) (8 pts):
In a special education environment we will have opportunities to participate in an
inclusive classroom. Since we want individuals with special needs to be able to perform
well beyond that of their classrooms, a contextualized and social learning approach
made possible by situated learning could well accelerate the learning process of
children (Riven). We can see that situated learning is similar to and inclusive classroom
(IC). IC offers opportunities for my students to learn and be taught by their peers in the
general education class. We are also able to help teach the general education students
how to be leaders and peer coaches to my special education students. Group work can
encourage my students to talk with others and for everyone to share their thoughts,
opinion, and knowledge with others. So my students will be able to naturally pick up
what their peers are doing and how they can learn in this inclusive environment that
encourages situated learning. My goal is to show that situated learning, which is learning
in a certain setting with others, can in fact encourage students to tap their prior
knowledge and to challenge others in their community (Original Learning).
My word count: 194
 PLAN FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Create a process that will lead to you attaining your goal. Your plan must utilize one or more
situated learning models brought up in the discussion board activity. Include at least 3 activities
that will lead to your success.
(15 pts, 5 points for each well-written activity)

Goal Summary:

Activities leading to the attainment of this goal. Situated People or Tools and resources
(Describe in detail) Learning communities I will that might be helpful
model utilized collaborate with for (e.g., social networks,
(Andragogy, this activity* books, technology tools,
Apprenticeship etc).
s, Service
learning,
Internships,
Trajectories,
Coaching,
Communities
of practice
shadowing)

The reality of children in our community Service Organizations Through Facebook

not looking forward to Spring break Learning Teachers they were able to
because they don't know if/how they will Students upload live and
get fed is real! Backpacks of Love needs Adults recorded videos of
800+ jars of peanut butter to help pull off Anyone their success as well
sending a backpack full of food home with as a way to promote
them. others to help out.

Jaxon and Harmony go to church with me https://www.facebook.

and I actually used to babysit Jaxon and com/BPOLpeanutbutte
his siblings over the summer. They were rchallenge/
promoting the peanut butter challenge to
people in their community to collect as
many jars of peanut butter to place the jars
on back packs of student who might not
have anything to eat during spring break
because they are apart of the free and
reduced lunch program at their schools.

This activity will be a great way to see Coaching Teachers, Arns, J. (2014,
 what others have in common in the group. administrators, September 5).
Opportunities to connect and work well and other Professional Learning
with others in your group. Also one can educational staff Communities.
discuss about the reason for why things Retrieved March 31,
at the school.
are not in common with some. 2017, from
Description: http://teach.oetc.org/n
Learners stand and sit to answer questions ode/12881
as the teacher polls the group.

Directions:
Take Off-Touch Down is better than Raise a
Hand. Our brains consume 20% more
oxygen when we stand and the blood that
pools in our seat and feet is moved up to
the brain. Blood contains oxygen.

1. Teacher makes a statement.

2. Learners to whom the statement
applies stand up ("Take Off").
3. Those to whom it does NOT apply
remain seated.
4. Teacher makes the next statement:
Standing learners: If a statement
applies, remaining standing; otherwise
sit down ("Touch Down").
Seated learners: If statement applies,
standup; otherwise remain seated.

Attending a seminar, conference or even a Andragogy Organizations, Here is a link to a

webinar allows us to branch out of our educators, and webinar that is free ad
comfort zone and increase our knowledge anyone who is open this weekend.
on a topic. Just because we are the wanting to gain
educators does not mean that we are done more information http://www.globaleduc
learning. We are most definitely still on education. ationconference.com/p
learning form our friends, family, students, age/sessions-and-
colleagues and from people that are found schedule
in our community group sharing that same
passion.

*Think broadly about collaboration. Remember that through social networking, collaboration can
take place at a distance.

ENHANCE ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENTAL NETWORK

An entrepreneurial network, according to Higgins and Kram, is a high developmental network
diversity, high developmental relationship strength (2001, p.270). What strategies will help you
operationalize this plan while effectively enhancing your Entrepreneurial Network? Include at
least 2 in-text citations from the Higgins and Kram article from L4. Add these sources to the
Reference list below. (250-300 words)
(10 pts):

DIVERSITY:
As I was re-reading this article I was able to see that in agrees and makes sense
when comparing it with communities of practice. I think that we need to master the
strategies of creating more diversity in our communities of practice. For example, a
protege who has one developer from an employer, one from school, one from a
professional association, and one from a community organization (e.g., religious
institution) will have a high-range developmental network, whereas an individual with all
four ties from the same social system (e.g., one employer) will have a low-range network
(Higgins and Kram). We shall have people in our network and CoPs that are from
different places in life in regards to jobs or lifestyles. With the help of understanding
network diversity in terms of differences between the protege and his or her developers'
race and/or gender (e.g., Ragins, 1997a). This diversity concerns the nature of the
relationships held, rather than the attributes of the developers (Higgins and Kram). So I
can have a relationship with a customer at my work, someone at my church, a family
friend, and someone my sister knows, and we are all networked due to us having the
same passion as one another. Then we have relationship strength, which means, the
level of emotional affect, reciprocity, and frequency of communication (Higgins and
Kram).
Both diversity and relationship strength Leads to a great "developmental network
perspective," which is something we should strive to master. Diversity and relationship
strength both are consistent with core concepts in social network theory and research.
By focusing on these two dimensions and, more generally, by integrating social network
research with prior mentoring research. (Higgins and Kram)
My word count: 281

References (10 pts)

Note: no credit will be given unless your references are formatted per APA. See Owl at Purdue
as a guide.

Andragogy (Malcolm Knowles). (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2017, from

http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/andragogy.html
Arns, J. (2014, September 5). Professional Learning Communities. Retrieved March 31,
2017, from http://teach.oetc.org/node/12881
Calori , I., Rossitto, C., & Divitini, M. (2013,). Understanding Trajectories of Experience in
Situated Learning Field Trips . Retrieved April 14, 2017, from
http://www.mifav.uniroma2.it/inevent/events/idea2010/doc/16_2.pdf
Communities of Practice. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2017, from
http://ged578.pbworks.com/w/page/39335812/Communities%20of
%20Practice[CoP]. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/AlanietaLesumaFatiaki/cop-communities-of-practice-
to-moodle
Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (n.d.). Adult Learning. Retrieved April 10, 2017,
from http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Adult_Learning#Andragogy
Digby, H. (2010, June 15). Retrieved April 11, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ejQiJmA5dQQ
Everything you ever wanted to know about coaching and mentoring. (n.d.). Retrieved
April 12, 2017, from http://new.coachingnetwork.org.uk/information-portal/what-
are-coaching-and-mentoring/
Experiential Learning Defined. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2017, from
https://facultyinnovate.utexas.edu/teaching/strategies/overview/experiential-
learning
Facebook. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2017, from
https://www.facebook.com/BPOLpeanutbutterchallenge/
Gearheart, A. (2015, June 08). 6 Reasons An Unpaid Internship Is Absolutely Worth Your
Time. Retrieved April 12, 2017, from http://elitedaily.com/money/unpaid-
internship/1047612/
MBA. (2107). 8 Best Fields For Apprenticeships and On-The-Job Training. Retrieved from:
http://www.onlinemba.com/blog/8-fields-where-apprenticeships-are-the-best-job-
training/
Maxwell, K. (n.d.). Hands-On Experience: The Value of Internships by Krista Maxwell -
Guest Blogger. Retrieved April 13, 2017, from https://ed4online.com/blog/hands-
experience-value-internships-krista-maxwell-guest-blogger
Office of Civic Engagement & Service Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2017, from
http://www.uncfsu.edu/civic-engagement/service-learning/definition-of-service-
learning
Origin Learning. (2016, August 31). 4 Ways to Apply the Situated Learning Theory.
Retrieved April 13, 2017, from http://blog.originlearning.com/4-ways-to-apply-the-
situated-learning-theory/
Pappas, C. (2017, March 22). The Adult Learning Theory - Andragogy - of Malcolm
Knowles. Retrieved April 10, 2017, from https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-
learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles
Riven, All About Situated Learning: Examples of Situated Learning for Use in the
CLassroom. (2012, September 11). Retrieved April 13, 2017, from
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-inclusion-strategies/60667-
situated-learning-for-mainstreamed-students-with-special-needs/
Sessions and Schedule. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2017, from
http://www.globaleducationconference.com/page/sessions-and-schedule
Situated learning. (2016, December 12). Retrieved April 11, 2017, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situated_learning

Professional presentation (professional language, grammar, spelling, word count) (10

pts).
Please proofread your work to be sure it meets university level writing standards. Note that if
your written work does not meet this standard, you will be asked to revise and resubmit within 3
days, and these points will be lost. The Writing Center can provide support. See
https://tutoring.asu.edu/writing-centers for details.