Workplace Learning in Context

As policy makers increasingly focus on workplace learning as a way of improving organizational performance, the debate about the learning organization has grown. Counterbalancing the often over-optimistic assumptions made about the future of work and learning, this book argues that without a contextualized analysis of the field, our understanding of the learning environment is limited. It reconsiders the true role and nature of workplace learning in context. Grounded in original research, the book features case studies which illuminate how the workplace environment can provide both barriers to and opportunities for learning. It explores learning in different organizational contexts and different countries, sectors, types of public and private sector organization, and by different occupational groups. This multi-disciplinary approach provides a coherent perspective of the institutional, organizational and pedagogical contexts of workplace learning, and as a result, policy-makers, trainers, trade unionists and educators alike will welcome this groundbreaking text, as it gives the intellectual tools required to understand how learning in the workplace can be improved. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 List of illustrations......Page 9 Notes on contributors......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 15 Introduction and overview......Page 18 The context of workplace learning......Page 36 The political economy of workplace learning......Page 38 The employment relationship and workplace learning......Page 55 Work organization, 'fields of activities' and workers' competence: the case of Italian small firms......Page 71 The context of learning in professional work environments: insights from the accountancy profession......Page 88 The assessment of workers' 'basic skills': a critique based on evidence from the United States, Canada and England......Page 106 The workplace as a learning environment......Page 124 Learning through work: workplace participatory practices......Page 126 Expansive learning environments: integrating organizational and personal development......Page 143 The new generation of expertise: seven theses......Page 162 Supporting learning in advanced supply systems in the automotive and aerospace industries......Page 183 Skills, knowledge and the workplace......Page 200 Conceptualizing vocational knowledge: some theoretical considerations......Page 202 Transfer of knowledge between education and workplace settings......Page 218 Learner biographies: exploring tacit dimensions of knowledge and skills......Page 239 The conceptualization and measurement of learning at work......Page 259 The complexities of workplace learning: problems and dangers in trying to measure attainment......Page 276 Research and policy......Page 294 Evidence-based policy or policy-based evidence? The struggle over new policy for workforce development in England......Page 296 Conclusion......Page 316 Index......Page 324 The Political Economy Of Workplace Learning -- The Employment Relationship And Workplace Learning -- Work Organization, 'fields Of Activities' And Workers' Competence: The Case Of Italian Small Firms -- The Context Of Learning In Professional Work Environments : Insights From The Accountancy Profession -- The Assessment Of Workers' 'basic Skills': A Critique Based On Evidence From The United States, Canada And England -- Learning Through Work: Workplace Participatory Practices -- Expansive Learning Environments: Integrating Organizational And Personal Development -- The New Generation Of Expertise: Seven Theses -- Supporting Learning In Advanced Supply Systems In The Automotive And Aerospace Industries -- Conceptualizing Vocational Knowledge: Some Theoretical Considerations -- Transfer Of Knowledge Between Education And Workplace Settings -- Learner Biographies: Exploring Tacit Dimensions Of Knowledge And Skills -- The Conceptualization And Measurement Of Learning At Work -- The Complexities Of Workplace Learning: Problems And Dangers In Trying To Measure Attainment -- Evidence-based Policy Or Policy-base Evidence? The Struggle Over New Policy For Workforce Development In England. Edited By Helen Rainbird, Alison Fuller And Anne Munro. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The political economy of workplace learning The employment relationship and workplace learning The quality of work and the quality of learning : the case of Italian small firms The context of learning in professional work environments : insights from the accountancy profession The assessment of workers basic skills : a critical examination of late twentieth century trends Learning through work : workplace participatory practices Expansive learning environments : integrating organisational and personal development The new generation of expertise : seven theses Supporting learning in advanced supply systems in the automotive and aerospace industries Conceptualising vocational knowledge Transfer of knowledge between education and workplace settings Learner biographies : exploring tacit dimensions of learning and skills The conceptualisation and measurement of learning at work The complexities of workplace learning : problems and dangers in trying to measure attainment The relationship between research and policy : the birthpangs of a new workforce development policy in britain.

combines A Critical Analysis Of The Organizational And Employment Context Of Workplace Learning With An Understanding Of Theories Of Learning. It Brings New Ideas And An Understanding Of The Social Context Of The Workplace.

The contributors to this volume combine a critical analysis of the organizational and employment context of workplace learning with an understanding of theories of learning