HERRINGTON, JAN AND OLIVER, RON (2000)
An instructional design framework for authentic learning environments,
published in Educational Technology Research and Development, 48(3) , 23-48

This article provides 9 key elements of situated learning along with guidelines for implementation all of which provide a valuable framework for the design of project based learning.

Some key quotes:

“When learning and context are separated, knowledge itself is seen by learners as the final product of education rather than a tool to be used dynamically to solve problems. Cole ( 1990) contends that traditional education overemphasises the acquisition of facts and procedures…”

Collins (19880 defines situated learning as: “the notion of learning knowledge and skills in contexts that reflect the way the knowledge will be useful in real life” p2

“A critical aspect of the situated learning model is the notion of the apprentice observing the ‘community of practice’. P2

Learner “moves from observer to fully functioning agent” p 2

Learners “learn how to speak both within and about the practice” p2

The article presents 9 characteristics of situated learning environments

1. Provide authentic contexts that reflect the way that knowledge will be used in real life.
2. Provide authentic activities.
3. Provide access to expert performances and the modelling of processes.
4. Provide multiple roles and perspectives.
5. Support collaborative construction of knowledge.
6. Promote reflection to enable abstractions to be formed.
7. Promote articulation to enable tacit knowledge to be made explicit.
8. Provide coaching and scaffolding by the teacher at critical times.
9. Provide for authentic assessment of learning within the tasks.

The article provides very useful tables

1. with guidelines for design and implementation of the learning environment
2. Manifestation of critical elements in the learning environment ie how they are incorporated.

Also discussion on how it was implemented and student’s feedback via interviews -
All in all – very interesting!!!

Editor's note: The article mentioned in this review is not publicly available on the internet unless you belong or have access to a library that subcribes to the ETRD Journal. However, you can find lots of resources on situated learning written by Ron and Jan at: http://elrond.scam.ecu.edu.au/oliver/