Learning, A Continuous Process of Life

I had to re-read this chapter twice because skimming was not working well. Wegner’s book is very much a textbook read. He uses big words and facts to bring together Legitimate Peripheral Participation. A word so unfamiliar that Google once again became my best friend. Also, when I read this chapter for the second time, I realized I missed the explanation to LPP. Leave it to me to overlook the definition given on page twenty-nine. Yep, not a skimmer, but a book to analyze.

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“In our view, learning is not merely situated in practice as if it were some independently   reifiable process that just happened to be located somewhere; learning is an integral part of generative social practice in the lived-in world (p 35).”

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I concur, learning will never be centered in one established area. The gain of knowledge is something that is continuous. It is an ever-flowing stream that feeds the many bodies of water. We learn by reading, watching, observing, listening, and mimicking. The process can be subconscious or conscious. The form can be correct or incorrect. In any case, it is all stored in our brains and used when needed. Even mistakes can be turned into a learning moment. Some examples that come to my mind is not using a plastic bowl to cook oatmeal, or not to keep layering watercolors before allowing each coat to dry. In my defense for the first mistake, I was five years old…my cognitive skill was not the best. Especially since I repeated that error, but none the less, I learned that plastic and fire do not work together when cooking. How does this fit into LPP? Well, I observed an old-timer and participated in their instruction, but in my case I added or did unnecessary things.

Now for the definition, which I managed to have missed. According to Wenger, LPP is composed of a newcomer who is placed in a community that has built its structure and identity. This community is centered around an old timer, or a Mentor. The internship I’ve been attending twice a week portrays some form of LPP. The structure can be seen visually as the Mentor has all students sit in a half circle. Not quite the Round Table look, but a sense of equality is created. The Mentor then proceeds to instruct through a basic watch, discuss, and repeat process. All students are allowed to put in their two cents when they feel the need. For resources, we use a combination of traditional papers to technology. As for the Mentor, she dresses appropriately and displays an open and enthusiastic personality. She encourages and tries to keep the students focused on the task. Naturally, some students provide some challenges by wanting to concentrate on other assignments.

I’m sure that my explanation is rather brief..maybe boring.. but I feel that the drastic difference in culture does require time for this classroom to become very interactive. Okay, I really can’t say that this class will become very active. However, I do take into consideration the effort it takes to build a healthy relationship with a community. I’m hoping that our differences will strengthen perspectives and more participation.

 

“School is something that you learn – reading and writing. Education is what you learn from the family, from the environment, from the community.” –Bunker Roy