TEL 431: Learning in Workplaces

L5 Activity

Experiential Learning
Construct: Situated Learning & Community of Practice

Name: Abigail Mattson

Date: April 16, 2017
Your Assigned Facilitator: Carrie McCulloch

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, in a general
sense, is the learning that takes place when a person is in a real-world situation and is
engaged in whatever task or process is taking place around them. This theory of
learning is not a traditional way of looking at the learning process. According to
Wikipedia, the proposers of the Situational Learning Theory argue that learning should
not be viewed as simply the transmission of abstract and decontextualised knowledge
from one individual to another, but a social process whereby knowledge is co-
constructed (www.wikipedia.com). This means that the information that is learned is
not as important as the learning journey that an individual completes as they engage
with their environment. A writer for the educational website Edutopia describes situated
learning as a culture, and states, a culture of learning is a collection of thinking habits,
beliefs about self, and collaborative workflows that result in sustained critical learning
(Heick, 2014, p. 2). Mr. Heick also says that learning is ongoing and alive, and that any
learning process that students undertake can be allowed to happen. This means that
teachers can work to facilitate a learning environment where students can become
interested and engaged in new topics in fresh, open-minded ways.
There are many types of situated learning, and educators are constantly
envisioning and creating new kinds of learning environments. An article from Northern
Illinois University includes several examples of situated learning, including cooperative
education and internship experiences in which students are immersed and physically
active in an actual work environment [and] music and sports (physical education)
practice which replicate actual setting of these events (NIU, n.d., p. 1). It is interesting
to note that several of the articles I found about situated learning discussed the
difference between real-world learning and traditional school settings. Apparently we
as a society are doing our students a disservice by not giving them learning
opportunities in a way that is relevant, meaningful, and applicable to their daily lives.
Situational learning strategies can be used for people of all ages. An author named
Christopher Pappas claims that andragogy is any form of adult learning (Pappas, 2013,
p. 1). Mr. Pappas notes that one of basic principles of andragogy is that adults are most
interested in learning subjects that have immediate relevance and impact to their job or
personal life (Pappas, 2013, p. 2).

My word count: (390)

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): I feel most inadequate at assessing students who have learning disabilities or
special needs, and identifying specific areas to target for their academic or social
development. I have not taken a class about assessment for students with special
needs, and so I would like to learn how to accurately and objectively assess students
who need extra support. I know that there are many kinds of disabilities, and that my
future students will need specific supplemental instruction in various challenging areas.
I will need to research different learning disabilities and learn about strategies for
supporting my students.

My word count: (96)

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): Assessment is a necessary 21st century skill for several reasons. First,
assessment is a part of metacognition. When an individual knows how to accurately
assess their own learning process or someone elses, they will be able to understand
where they are struggling and how they can do better. If I am knowledgeable and good at
assessing my students, any school will want to hire me. This is a useful skill for myself
and for my students. It will help me know what areas of growth I need to target in myself
as well as in others. Knowing how to use assessments will help me improve my skills as
an educator.

My word count: (110)

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): When I lived in Colorado, I held a job as a student-specific aid for a 5th-grader who
was blind. Through my position with her, I spent time with school administration and
school district visual impairment specialists, and I learned a wide variety of skills. I
started to learn Braille, I learned cues to support people who have visual impairments, I
made 3D models, I copied print pages so they could be translated into Braille, and I got
to watch some of the students specialized assessments. The job was the ideal situated
learning opportunity for me to learn about assessment. When the student I worked with
was not at school, I supported a general education teacher and helped her give reading
assessments to other students. Experiences like this will teach me how to assess
students who have special needs, and will show me options for modifying tests and
exams to fit any students learning style or situation.

My word count: (156)

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): I think that it is appropriate for me to address this goal with a situated learning
approach because it will give me the chance to support students who have special needs
at the same time as I am working toward my own learning and development. The first
type is called shadowing. There are two kinds of shadowing in the education world.
Shadowing occurs when a student has an aid to assist them in becoming as self-reliant
and independent as possible. According to an article from Spectrum Behavioral
Services, Inc., the shadow also has the task of helping the student with the abilities that
they have already acquired while assisting the student in attaining new skill sets as well
(spectrumbehavioralservicesinc.com). If I worked as a shadow, I would build on a
students skills and help them learn new skills. Another kind of situated learning that
would help me develop as an educator is called an internship. There are multiple
benefits of education internships, including the chance to learn ways to improve your
teaching, how to maintain classroom discipline, how to plan successfully, and how to
deal with students with different abilities (teaching.monster.com).

My word count: (192)

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 Situated Learning People or Tools and resources

the attainment of this model utilized communities I will that might be helpful
goal. (Describe in (Andragogy, collaborate with for (e.g., social networks,
detail) Apprenticeships, this activity* books, technology
Service learning, tools, etc).
Internships,
Trajectories,
Coaching,
Communities of
practice
shadowing)

Shadow a School Shadowing Fayette County Testing Information

District Assessment School District (2016). Fayette
Official in the local County School
Fayette County North Fayette District. Retrieved on
School District. Elementary School April 14, 2017, from
http://www.fcboe.org/
Legacy Academy Page/138
Cooperative School

Teresa M., Ginger S.,

 and Jessica A.,
teachers

Attend a seminar Service Learning Fayette County Literacy and Striving

about assessment School District Readers Grant.
models and strategies (2013). Georgia
for students who have Georgia State Department of
special needs and University Education. Retrieved
then volunteer at a on April 14, 2017,
testing site Shaherah B., autism from Testing
specialist Information (2016).
Fayette County
School District.
Retrieved on April 14,
2017, from
http://www.fcboe.org/
Page/138

2017 Regional
Education Seminars.
(2017). Georgia State
Board of Workers
Compensation.
Retrieved from
https://sbwc.georgia.g
ov/2017-regional-
educational-seminars

Visit an adult Andragogy Atlanta Public Adult Education.

classroom to learn Schools (2017). Professional
how to make Information Site:
assessment relevant English for Technical System of
and engaging. Internationals, Georgia. Retrieved
Georgia from
http://literacy.coe.uga.
Global Academy of edu/
English
Merriam, S. B.
Cynthia G., ESL (2001). Andragogy
instructor and self-directed
learning: pillars of
adult learning theory.
Wiley Online Library.
Retrieved from
 http://onlinelibrary.wile
y.com/doi/10.1002/ac
e.3/abstract

*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): According to Higgins and Kram, the work force and work environment has
changed recently. Individuals may not be able to rely on just one relationship in an
organization to reach their career goals. The authors state that individuals may need to
draw on relationships from a variety of sources, not just senior-level, intraorganizational
relationships, for developmental assistance (Higgins & Kram, 2001, p. 257). In my case,
I plan to add to my networks diversity by branching out into organizations and
professional workplaces in the area near where I live. The options I listed above include
several contacts within the Fayette County School District. These new contacts will help
me locate jobs in the area near my house.
Another strategy that I will use to grow my entrepreneurial network is to shadow some of
my mentors. Cynthia G. and Jarah B. are two of my mentors who also happen to work in
the career that I am interested in. However, I also feel that I could learn a lot from
shadowing or interning with several other people that I already know. I would like to set
up a schedule to shadow and observe in four different classrooms within the Fayette
County School District. There are four teachers who I have been friends with for several
years that work in the school district. Higgins and Kram write that there is much to be
learned from these minority experiences: as careers become more boundaryless and
individuals work crosses organizational boundaries, so too will the sources from which
both majority and minority individuals draw support from in their careers (Higgins &
Kram, 2001, p. 267). Meeting up with a variety of teachers will give me many experiences
that will all help to increase my knowledge of assessment and pedagogy.

My word count: (295)

 References (10 pts)
Note: no credit will be given unless your references are formatted per APA. See Owl at Purdue
as a guide.

2017 Regional Education Seminars. (2017). Georgia State Board of Workers

Compensation. Retrieved from https://sbwc.georgia.gov/2017-regional-
educational-seminars

Adult Education. (2017). Professional Information Site: Technical System of Georgia.

Retrieved from http://literacy.coe.uga.edu/

Heick, T. (2014). Promoting a culture of learning. Edutopia. Retrieved from

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/promoting-a-culture-of-learning-terry-heick

Higgins, M. C., & Kram, K. E. (2001). Reconceptualizing mentoring at work: a

developmental network perspective. Academy of Management. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org/stable/259122?seq=4#page_scan_tab_contents

How do Student Teacher Internships Help You in Your Teaching Career? (n.d.). Teaching
Community (no author). Retrieved from
http://teaching.monster.com/careers/articles/6781-how-do-student-teacher-
internships-help-you-in-your-teaching-career

Literacy and Striving Readers Grant. (2013). Georgia Department of Education. Retrieved
on April 14, 2017, from Testing Information (2016). Fayette County School District.
Retrieved on April 14, 2017, from http://www.fcboe.org/Page/138

Merriam, S. B. (2001). Andragogy and self-directed learning: pillars of adult learning

theory. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved from
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ace.3/abstract

Pappas, C. (2013). The adult learning theory andragogy of Malcolm Knowles.

eLearning Industry. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/the-adult-
learning-theory-andragogy-of-malcolm-knowles

Situated Learning. (n.d.). Northern Illinois University (no author). Retrieved from
http://www.niu.edu/facdev/_pdf/guide/strategies/situated_learning.pdf

Situated Learning. (n.d.). Wikipedia (multiple authors). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situated_learning#Overview

Testing Information (2016). Fayette County School District. Retrieved on April 14, 2017,
from http://www.fcboe.org/Page/138
The Role and Benefits of a Shadow for an Autistic Child. (n.d.). Spectrum Behavioral
Services, Inc. (no author). Retrieved from
http://spectrumbehavioralservicesinc.com/the-role-benefits-of-a-shadow-for-an-
autistic-child/

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.