The SAGE Handbook of Workplace Learning
- Margaret Malloch
- Len Cairns - Monash University, Australia
- Karen Evans - University of London, UK
- Bridget N O'Connor - New York University, USA
This Handbook provides a state-of –the art overview of the field of workplace learning from a global perspective. The authors are all well-placed theoreticians, researchers, and practitioners in this burgeoning field , which cuts across higher education, vocational education and training, post-compulsory secondary schooling, and lifelong education. The volume provides a broad–based, yet incisive analysis of the range of theory, research, and practical developments in workplace learning
The editors draw together the three essential areas of theory, research and practice, and issues in the field of workplace learning. In addition, final chapters focus on issues, future developments, and directions with recommendations for further development.
Key researchers and writers in the field have approached workplaces as the base of learning about work, that is, work-based learning. There has also been emerging interest in variations of the idea such as learning about, through, and at work. Many of the theoretical discussions have centered on adult learning and some on learners' managing their own learning, with emphasis on aspects such as communities of practice and self directed learning.
Early work in the field was often linked to the Vocational Education and Training (VET) traditions with concerns around skills, competencies and 'on the job' learning. The idea that learning and workplaces had more to do with real lifelong and lifewide aspects than the traditional "training" regimen has emerged in the last decade. Since the mid 1990s the field has grown as an area of theory, research, and practical work which has not only expanded the interest but has also legitimized the area as a field of study, reflection, and progress.
The SAGE Handbook of Workplace Learning draws together a wide range of views, theoretical dispositions, and assertions and provides a leading-edge presentation by key writers and researchers with insight into the field and its current state. It will be a basic source for researchers and academics interested in the scope and breadth of the workplace learning area.
'Over the past decade, workplace learning has become one of the major areas of development for business, management and education. Yet ideas about it are diverse and complex and its practice is affected by competing influences and differing perspectives. This essential guide brings together many of the world's leading scholars to clarify and explore the various concepts and approaches in ways that will benefit practitioners, researchers, educators and policymakers alike'
Tom NesbitSimon Fraser University
"I would recommend it to both serious academics and those who frivolously wish to sample the topic."
As a nurse, manager and now researcher concerned with healthcare education I found this volume interesting and thought provoking... this volume provides a starting point to explore the evidence underpinning workplace learning, and encourages a wider appreciation of different perspectives and different work places.
The first few chapters relevant for this apprenticeship group
An excellent resource with a wide range of topics.
This book is essential to all strands of the WBL International courses, therefore I will be recommending it as essential reading for the next academic year.
This is an excellent book with a wealth of chapters form different perspectives on work based learning. In particular the following chapters are very useful for our students (MA in Career Management)
Chapter 1 gives an excellent overview and sets the theoretical context.
Chapter 3 by Illeris has strong links with reflective practice, so very useful for my specialism
Chapter 7 by Engstrom - I am very interested in activity theory and feel it can be neglected in many publications
Chapter 8 by Ellstrom - again often a neglected topic.
Very helpful handbook, providing an advanced overview of the main issues (and current scholars) in the field.
This is an excellent read covering theories and approaches to work based learning in detail. It is an easy book to navigate through and essential for any work based learning programme
