APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AT WORK

Developing and Applying Knowledge at Work



Developing and Applying Knowledge at Work

Work Based Learning

Work based learning is defined simply as learning by doing. This mode of teaching and learning stands in contrast to the more traditional didactic instruction in which the active employer transmits knowledge to the generally passive employee. Rather, Work based learning calls for an active, adaptive, and ongoing learning by the employee wherein a relationship is created between the employee and employer. This topic is relevant today due to our current national philosophies around education, which are, in some cases, not meeting the needs of the employees they are meant to serve. The high-stakes testing, assessment, and employer accountability as outlined in the No Child Left behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) is a reaction to this crisis, but one that is controversial. Work based learning offers an alternative to high-stakes employee and employer assessment. This entry includes a description of the philosophy behind, and example of, this mode of instruction.

The Learning Experience

Imagine for a moment a father and son sitting in the driveway of the family's home on the Fourth of July enjoying the fireworks being displayed. The son is only 4 years old, and the father is reluctant to allow his son to be near any of the fireworks. The father has purchased sparklers for the occasion and spends several minutes explaining to his son how dangerous the sparklers can be. The son stands passively listening to his father's instructions. The father feels that his explanation about the dangers of sparklers has been adequate. The feedback from the son, both verbal and nonverbal, indicates that the boy understands the lesson being taught. Feeling confident that his son understands, the father lights the sparkler and holds it up for his son to see. The son's eyes light up and a smile appear on his face. A few moments later, as the father squats, holding the sparkler, his gaze moves from his son to view the display of fireworks in the sky. Suddenly, his attention is torn from the sky as his son lets out a painful scream and begins frantically crying. The young boy has reached out and grabbed the hot end of the sparkler. The son's thumb and forefinger are burned. As the father shakes his head in disbelief, trying to soothe his son's pain, criticizing and doubting himself as a father, he wonders how he failed his son in teaching this lesson.

This entry disputes the assumption that the father failed his son in teaching this lesson. In fact, the father could not have taught the lesson better even if he had done the unthinkable: burn his son's hand purposely. Work based learning is one of the three corners of the learning triangle (see Figure 1), which includes the employer, the employee, and the experience. It is understood that authentic human learning occurs when all three elements of the triangle are working in conjunction. If one element is removed from the triangle, ...