Resources about Learning
In this section we provide background information about the learning concepts and instructional design ideas that form the basis of LearnHousing.
Situated Learning
Enabling Situated Learning is one of LearnHousing’s key aims. This kind of learning is very similar to what happens in an apprenticeship-type setting, where there are elements of real life application of skills and knowledge, and a mentoring-style approach to teaching.
When we are involved in Situated Learning we are not just acquiring information or knowledge, by reading about a subject, or by listening to a trainer. Instead we apply new (and existing) knowledge by trying to solve problems and develop action. Situated Learning has a strong social element, and it works particularly well with groups and teams. So for instance a group learning about PR for Housing may take on a small project creating a press campaign about a new Housing scheme. Learners learn as they go through the stages of the project finding out what works and what doesn't. Successful Situated Learning enables really sustainable learning, where learners develop practical skills that can be applied on the job more readily than just book-knowledge.
Making Situated Learning work in an online environment needs careful planning and facilitation. LearnHousing does this through:
• Fostering experience-based learning: During course development and delivery we make sure that we know about the real work-environment of participants, so that we can create connection between the content of a course and current, past and collective experience by learners.
We enable and facilitate discussions between learners so that they share relevant experience, and we will provide and guide discussions about relevant case-studies that are real-life examples.
• Creating effective and enjoyable Virtual Team-experiences: If you haven’t worked in virtual teams before, you will wonder how and if this can work. No worries necessary – we know how to create them and we will help you to get the best out of the collective learning experience.
Information about the following themes to follow soon:
- Blended-Learning
- Surface vs. Deep Learning
- Lifelong Learning
- Learning Organisations
- Peer Learning
- Collaborative Learning
- Communities of Practice
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