Lave and Wenger Situated Learning and Communities of Practice

Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger argue that learning takes place within social environments, ‘situated learning’, by participating in communities of practice (of active practitioners), which involves shared and collaborative learning within a framework of shared purpose, interest and identity.

Initially this process would involve an individual participating on the periphery of a community, but as confidence, knowledge and skills increase overtime the individual would become more engaged and involved.