Laminations: Dewey, constructivism and professional learning

[maharg]

This position paper argues that professional learning can be enhanced if we take seriously the consequences of Dewey’s concept of experiential transaction. Deriving an approach from Dewey’s epistemological and aesthetic writings, together with later constructivist principles, I explore how learning environments can be based upon transactional principles. I describe how web-based technologies such as SIMPLE can be used to enact such environments. The qualitative data derived from the SIMPLE project and elsewhere reveal not only the effects of simulation as a form of learning and assessment, but the strengths and challenges of a Deweyan approach to learning in both undergraduate programmes of study, and in postgraduate professional education.

Slides and position paper are attached. ANU - Laminations slides.pptLaminations.doc