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Situated Learning Theory: The Key to Effective Classroom Teaching?

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 HONAI: International Journal for Educational, Social, Political & Cultural Studies,
Volume 1(1), May 2018

Published every May and November

International Journal
for Educational, Social,
Political & Cultural Studies

PENGIRAN HAJAH SITI NORAINNA BINTI PENGIRAN HAJI BESAR

Situated Learning Theory:

The Key to Effective Classroom Teaching?
ABSTRACT: Situated learning theory holds that effective education requires learning that is embedded
in authentic contexts of practice, wherein students engage in increasingly more complex tasks
within social communities. Opponents of the theory point out its failure to account for individual
differences among students and its insufficient emphasis on knowledge acquisition. In this essay, by
using the qualitative methods, I describe situated learning and review the arguments for and against it,
contrasting participatory and acquisitive learning models as they apply in classroom settings. The view
that all learning should be situated if it is to be effective is too strong. Such a statement ignores the fact
that learning is a matter of acquiring knowledge before one can participate effectively in the situation
or real setting. The teacher acts as a provider, facilitator, and mediator of knowledge; students are
able to learn from that knowledge and practice it in group activities. In turn, students arrive at a new
level of knowledge and understanding based on their experience as a real practitioner in the group
or community. The different norms and values attached to participation and acquisition complement
one another, and either one alone would be insufficient. I then assess religious education in Brunei
Darussalam, where education has traditionally focused on memorization and written exams. I suggest
that a blend of participatory and acquisitive learning models may be the most effective approach to
classroom instruction.
KEY WORDS: Situated Learning; Classroom Instruction; Brunei Darussalam; Cognition; Social Networking.

INTRODUCTION the understanding of, and prescriptions for,

Situated cognition or situated learning how knowledge is developed and organized
was first defined by J.S. Brown, A. Collins within workplaces (Brown, Collins &
& P. Duguid (1989) and then expounded by Duguid, 1989; Lave & Wenger, 1991; and
J. Lave & E. Wenger (1991). Since then, it Motteram ed., 2013).
has had a significant effect on educational Situated learning theory holds that
thinking. Situated learning theory has knowledge should be delivered in an
emerged as an alternative to dominant, authentic context. Beginning learners
cognitive perspectives on learning. Situated should be involved in authentic settings of
learning theory, or at least elements of it, is daily practice, applying knowledge, and
emerging as a possible vehicle for revitalizing making use of artefacts in productive but

About the Author: Pengiran Dr. Hajah Siti Norainna binti Pengiran Haji Besar is a Lecturer at the APB UBD (Academy
of Brunei Studies, University of Brunei Darussalam), Jalan Tungku Link, BE 1410, Negara Brunei Darussalam. For academic interests,
the author is able to be contacted via e-mail address at: [email protected]
Suggested Citation: Besar, Pengiran Hajah Siti Norainna binti Pengiran Haji. (2018). “Situated Learning Theory: The Key to
Effective Classroom Teaching?” in HONAI: International Journal for Educational, Social, Political & Cultural Studies, Volume 1(1),
May, pp.49-60. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI and STISIP Amal Ilmiah, Wamena, Papua.
Article Timeline: Accepted (March 11, 2018); Revised (April 30, 2018); and Published (May 30, 2018).

© 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
49
PENGIRAN HAJAH SITI NORAINNA BINTI PENGIRAN HAJI BESAR,
Situated Learning Theory

low-risk ways. This usually requires social of this paper are to highlight the effective
interaction and collaboration within the aspects of situated learning and to draw
“community of practice”. However, learners attention to the possible drawbacks by
gradually move away from this community providing critiques from other theories or
to become engaged in more dynamic and perspectives.
complex activities, and transition into the This paper, by using the qualitative
role of the expert. This process usually methods (Dede et al., 2005; and Creswell,
occurs unintentionally. J. Lave & E. Wenger 2007), focuses on the analysis of situated
(1991) call this process “legitimate peripheral learning in relation to classroom teaching.
participation” (Lave & Wenger, 1991). My experience in religious schools in Brunei
Such was the influence of this theory that Darussalam is also discussed in the article. I
it led some researchers to argue that learning conclude that situated learning, by itself, is
can only be meaningful if it is embedded in not sufficient, but would be more effective
the social and physical context. Those who if it were united with learning through
fall into this camp include J.S. Brown, A. knowledge acquisition.
Collins & P. Duguid (1989). They argued that
formal learning is often quite distinct from FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
authentic activity performed by practitioners An Outline of Situated Learning
in their everyday work. In other words, Theory. A. Contu & H.C. Willmott (2003)
students’ activities, particularly in classroom questioned the adequacy and relevance of
settings, are usually isolated from “the learning as a cognitive process that involves
ordinary practices of the culture” (Brown, a selective transmission of comparatively
Collins & Duguid, 1989:34). abstract, codified bodies of knowledge
Instead, J.S. Brown, A. Collins & from one context, e.g. a classroom, to sites
P. Duguid (1989) proposed a method of application, e.g. specific work practices
specifically designed to “enculturate students (Contu & Willmott, 2003). To address the
into authentic practices through activity shortcomings of cognitive learning theory, J.
and social interaction” (Brown, Collins & Lave & E. Wenger (1991)’s situated learning
Duguid, 1989:37). In addition, S.D. Cook theory draws together threads of earlier
& D. Yanow (1993) described learning as ideas from J.J. Gibson (1977) on the theory
the “acquiring, sustaining, and challenging, of affordances; L.S. Vygotsky (1978) on
through collective actions of the meanings the theory of social learning; and Alan H.
embedded in the organization’s cultural Schoenfeld (1985 and 2013) on the theory
artefacts” (Cook & Yanow, 1993:384). A. of mathematical problem solving, into a
Contu & H.C. Willmott (2003) found that sustained conceptualization of situated
learning that is embedded in the social and learning within communities of practice (cf
physical context is more effective than non- Gibson, 1977; Vygotsky, 1978; Schoenfeld,
situated learning. Hence, learning through 1985 and 2013; and Lave & Wenger, 1991).
situational experience has emerged as a Again, J. Lave & E. Wenger (1991) argued
significant approach to classroom teaching that learning occurs when individuals are
(Contu & Willmott, 2003). members of the communities, in which
While prior research supports the they are acculturated and at the same
advantages of situated learning, there time participate actively in the diffusion,
remain many questions and issues regarding reproduction, and transformation of in-
its nature and the best form of situated practice knowledge about agents, activities,
instruction. Accordingly, this paper and artefacts. They also argued that to know
will illustrate how J. Lave & E. Wenger is to be capable of participating with the
(1991)’s ideas of situated learning have requisite competence in the complex web
been corroborated by some theorists and of relationships among people and activities
criticized by others (Lave & Wenger, 1991; (Lave & Wenger, 1991).
and Herrington & Oliver, 1995). The aims In this context, J. Lave & E. Wenger

50 © 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
 HONAI: International Journal for Educational, Social, Political & Cultural Studies,
Volume 1(1), May 2018

(1991) viewed situated learning as Situated learning theory suggests that

participatory in nature and as a process of learning is experienced and mediated
social participation, a process of growth through relationships with community
through which learners dialectically construct members or within a “community of
their identities. They saw learning as a practice”. Within a community of practice,
socio-cultural phenomenon rather than the group members jointly share and develop
action of the individual acquiring general practices, learn from their interactions with
information from a decontextualized body group members, and gain opportunities
of knowledge (Lave & Wenger, 1991). to develop personally, professionally, or
In other words, it is a process of social intellectually (Lave & Wenger, 1991; and
participation in everyday situations rather Mills, 2013).
than the acquisition of knowledge by The notion of “community” and the
individuals. J. Lave & E. Wenger (1991) states relationships among individual members
as following here: within a community also play an essential
role in social networking dynamics. In their
A person’s intentions to learn are engaged and identification of theoretical frameworks that
the meaning of learning is configured through
the process of becoming a full participant in inform our understanding of e-learning,
a social-cultural practice. This social process, T. Mayes & S. de Freitas (2007) presented
includes, indeed it subsumes, the learning of situated learning theory as a fundamental
knowledgeable skills (Lave & Wenger, 1991:29).
perspective to further discipline our
understanding of learning in Web 2.0
For J. Lave & E. Wenger (1991),
environments (cf Mayes & de Freitas, 2007;
understanding learning in practice
and Mills, 2013:348).
necessitates situating the “person-in-the-
As we see from the above, many scholars
world” and making sense of how people
share the view that the understandings that
become members of what they call “socio-
emerge and help a person to participate in
cultural communities” (Lave & Wenger,
a situation are intimately entwined with the
1991:52).
particular community, tools, and activity of
A. Contu & H.C. Willmott (2003) are
that situation. In other words, individuals
among those sharing the view that learning
learn as they participate by interacting
should be located or situated within
with the community, i.e. with its history,
everyday, i.e. work, practices. As they put it,
assumptions and cultural values, rules, and
situated learning focuses less on cognition,
patterns of relationship; the tools at hand,
which takes place in the individual’s mind,
including objects, technology, languages,
and more on the practices of groups (Contu
and images; and the moment’s activity, its
& Willmott, 2003). Similarly, T.J. Fenwick
purposes, norms, and practical challenges
(2001) held the view that people should
(Haferkamp & Smelser eds., 1992; and
be embedded in situations, where they can
Kozulin et al. eds., 2003).
participate (Fenwick, 2001).
Knowledge emerges as a result of these
As T.J. Fenwick (2001) put it, learning
elements interacting simultaneously. Thus,
is “not in the head of that person as
knowing is interminably inventive and
intellectual concepts produced by reflection,
entwined with doing. As S.A. Barab et al.
nor as inner energies produced by psychic
(1999) stated, situated learning is a theory
conflicts”; rather, it is how people know
that allows for the “unification of the world,
and learn by engaging in ever-changing
the individual, and the relations among
individual processes within a particular
these reciprocal components” (Barab et al.,
community. In other words, “knowledge
1999:360).
is not a substance to be ingested and then
Situated Learning and Classroom
transferred to a new situation, but part
Teaching. Situated learning stresses the
of the very process of participation in the
opportunities for students to reveal their
immediate situation” (Fenwick, 2001:34).
abilities and talents. It can provide students

© 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
51
PENGIRAN HAJAH SITI NORAINNA BINTI PENGIRAN HAJI BESAR,
Situated Learning Theory

with a learning environment that mirrors the modes of communication, in addition to

culture and tools that are cast in the same developing relationships through their
mold as those used in real life situations involvement in the online francophone
(Kozulin et al. eds., 2003; Cleveland, 2011; community (Mills, 2013).
and Schoenfeld, 2013). In addition, A. Sfard (1998), another
Next, we need to look at how students’ supporter of situated leaning theory, stated
participation in classrooms can demonstrate that the participation metaphor could
their potential and the abilities gained give rise to togetherness, solidarity, and
through their learning experience aided collaboration, which promote positive risk
by social resources. Teachers often employ taking and inquiry in learning environments
activities and tools to artificially simulate (Sfard, 1998).
authentic social contexts in the classroom. This illustration reinforces the theory
For example, C. Shaltry et al. (2013) used that learning through participation as
Facebook as an online space in which to “apprenticeship” might further encourage
situate collaborative activities for pre-service the student’s collaboration in the classroom.
teachers. They were given an opportunity to Inter alia, the situative perspective
try a wide variety of innovative technologies emphasizes that, being in constant flux, the
through explorations of their own choosing, situation precludes any permanent labelling
such as designing a classroom website in of people; for students, all options are
Weebly, allowing them to adopt their own always open, even if they have histories of
classroom and teaching identities to create failure (Sfard, 1998:8; and Lier, 2004).
detailed websites with blogs, videos, images, Thus, unlike the acquisition of knowledge
and imagined showcases of their future metaphor popular in cognitive learning
students’ work (Shaltry et al., 2013:22). models, the participation metaphor
Several other researchers have accommodates student progress and growth:
implemented new technology in the today, you act one way; tomorrow, you
classroom to involve students in meaningful may act differently. Students’ teamwork,
communicative practice, content exchange, whereby they help one another with tasks
and collaboration (Ziegler, 2007; Greenhow, given by teachers, benefits weak students,
Robelia & Hughes, 2009; Junco, Heiberger enabling them to contribute more, develop
& Loken, 2011; and Nosko & Wood, 2011). new understandings, and acquire knowledge
These researchers view social networking by experiencing and participating in real
tools such as Facebook and Twitter as situations (Lier, 2004; and Gablinske, 2014).
online classrooms; the tools support social Limitations of Situated Learning.
interactions and allow users to build Against situated learning theory, T.J. Fenwick
communities and form relations inside and (2001) argued that situative theorists ignore
outside the classroom by enabling people to issues of race, class, gender, and other
join discussion or interest groups and share cultural and personal complexities. Students
information, ideas, and opinions among with different abilities may not be able to
themselves (cf Ziegler, 2007; Greenhow, participate meaningfully in particular systems
Robelia & Hughes, 2009; Junco, Heiberger of practice. T.J. Fenwick also argued that the
& Loken, 2011; and Nosko & Wood, 2011). situative perspective is silent on the issue of
N. Mills (2013) analyzed the joint resistance in communities, in which tools
enterprise, mutual engagement, and shared and activities may be unfair or dysfunctional
repertoire experienced within the Facebook (Fenwick, 2001).
community of her students in an intermediate Further problems could arise if students’
French course. She concluded that students’ differences subconsciously preclude total
participation could make connections to participation. As B. Hooks (2003) pointed
course content, and that students could out in her book, Teaching Community: A
develop identities via the enhancement of Pedagogy of Hope, students in her classroom
interpersonal, presentational, and interpretive often repudiated the notion that their lives

52 © 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
 HONAI: International Journal for Educational, Social, Political & Cultural Studies,
Volume 1(1), May 2018

continued to be shaped by racial differences misconceive entirely what practitioners

(Hooks, 2003). Yet, under analysis, this actually do (Brown, Collins & Duguid,
proved not to be the case. She, then, stated 1989). This deficiency of situated learning
as following here: was also emphasized by A. Contu & H.C.
Willmott (2003), who noted that the view
In classroom settings, I have often listened to
groups of students tell me that racism really no of learning as situated created problems by
longer shapes the contours of our lives, that promoting the idea of “naturalness” (Contu
there is just no such thing as racial difference, & Willmott, 2003).
that “we are all just people”. Then, a few
minutes later I give them an exercise. I ask if Other critics have pointed out that
they were about to die, and could choose to learning in communities is not always
come back as a white male, a white female, recommended, especially for unsupervised
a black female, or black male, which identity
would they choose. students learning in authentic environments,
Each time I do this exercise, most individuals, where such participation could reinforce
irrespective of gender or races invariably negative practices that a community is
choose whiteness, and most often white
maleness. Black females are the least chosen. trying to eliminate (Fenwick, 2001; and
When I asked students to explain their choice, Murray et al., 2014). G. Salomon & D.N.
they proceed to do a sophisticated analysis of Perkins (1998) argued that people who are
privileged based on race, with perspectives
that take gender and class into consideration apprenticed in particular ways may pick up
(Hooks, 2003:26). undesirable forms of practice, wrong values,
or strategies that subvert or profoundly limit
Such problems must be taken into the collective and its participating individuals
account, when discussing the effectiveness (Salomon & Perkins, 1998).
of situated learning; student differences In a recent study of situated learning via
are bound to have an effect on the way a social networking, N. Mills (2013) indicated
working group bonds (Herrington & Oliver, that despite the various benefits afforded
1995; Anderson, Reder & Simon, 1996; by the interactive online environment,
Wolfson & Willinsky, 1998; and Dunne et Facebook-based learning projects possess
al., 2007). limitations. For instance, error correction,
The artificial activities and tools that outside of clarification, and negotiation
teachers employ to create realistic situations of meaning did not occur in the Facebook
are also worth noting. Classroom activities context, although particular classroom
can only ever simulate reality. For instance, activities, compositions, and homework
if students are asked to create a scenario assignments focused on the promotion of
in which one acts as a teacher and the grammatical accuracy (Mills, 2013:364).
others as pupils, the principal criticism Further, C.M. Wang (2012) found that
might be that this situation only reinforces students using Facebook were more
teaching methodology and the means of easily distracted owing to the social and
handling a group of students in a controlled entertainment applications provided within
situation. It would not convey the real life Facebook (Wang, 2012:71).
situation, where a teacher might deploy a The Role of the Teacher. These
range of tactics to engage pupils in the real limitations highlight the importance of the
classroom environment (Chilcott, 1996; and teacher’s role. When considering using social
Kreitmayer, 2014). networking sites as “online classrooms”,
J.S. Brown, A. Collins & P. Duguid (1989) the educator should ensure that students
claimed that many of the activities students receive adequate training in this emerging
undertake in classrooms are simply not the technology. Teachers should brief students
activities of practitioners. They argued that on mobile safety and guidelines for social
“hybrid activity” limits students in their networking sites, as well as etiquette and
attempts to access important structuring and expectations for classroom use (Blannin,
supporting cues that arise from authentic 2015; and Alsolamy, 2017).
contexts. As a result, students are likely to In authentic activities, especially in

© 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
53
PENGIRAN HAJAH SITI NORAINNA BINTI PENGIRAN HAJI BESAR,
Situated Learning Theory

classrooms, the teacher plays a significant represented gaining knowledge that could
role in coaching and observing students, be deposited, stored, and used at a later
as well as offering hints and reminders, date (Hooks, 1994).
providing feedback, and modelling, all of This situation still exists in classrooms and
which are integral to the learning situation. the learning environment at large. School
Teachers should be able to provide coaching learning, as J.P. Gee (2004) stated, is often
at critical times and furnish a high level about disembodied minds learning outside
of support to students who are unable to any context of decision and actions. J.P. Gee
complete the tasks (Herrington & Oliver, argued that when people learn something as
1995; Gablinske, 2014; and Alsolamy, 2017 a cultural process, their bodies are involved,
As students gain proficiency, the support because cultural learning always involves
can be gradually withdrawn, and the having specific experiences that facilitate
teacher’s role shifts to move the learner into learning beyond just memorizing words
self-directed learning and finally generalizing (Gee, 2004).
or transferring the skills. The educator Students who are constrained by a system
will thereby help learners to have a fuller that requires them to reproduce on demand,
understanding of the activity in question and in written or oral form, the contents of a
attain more positive outcomes. As students syllabus, who are taught by a process of
gain more self-confidence and control, they acquisition rather than participation, will
move into a more autonomous phase of not be able to access a body of knowledge
collaborative learning, where they begin that would otherwise be available to them
to participate consciously in the culture through a learning experience enriched by
(Fenwick, 2001; and Sansome, 2016). real-world social and material interactions.
T.J. Fenwick (2001) interpreted S. Billett The situated learning theorist would claim
(1998)’s description of indirect guidance that learning can only happen through the
as opportunities to observe and practice intervention of activities, context, and culture
participation in a community, as assignment (Fry, Ketteridge & Marshall eds., 2009;
to various tasks and increasing scope of Motteram ed., 2013; and Sansome, 2016).
responsibility, and as time for reflection and For J. Lave & E. Wenger (1991), the
dialogue (Billett, 1998; and Fenwick, 2001). essence of learning involves participation in
S. Billett (1998) noted that such conditions a community engaged in a common set of
do not arise naturally or on an equal footing tasks, with associated stories, traditions, and
in real-life environments, but, in educational ways of working (Lave & Wenger, 1991).
settings, the educators can ensure equitable At first, this participation is peripheral, but
learning opportunities and enhance learning it increases gradually in engagement and
potential by ensuring adequate support, complexity, until the learner becomes a full
resources, guidance, and reasonable learning participant in the sociocultural practices
time (Billett, 1998). of the community. They argued that
Situated Participation versus knowledge should not be decontextualized,
Acquisition in Religious Education. or discussed in abstract or general terms;
Students in traditional, religious education instead, new knowledge and learning should
may believe that the best way to learn is properly be conceived as being located in
by memorizing every bit of information in communities of practice (Lave & Wenger,
each subject. This manner of learning does 1991; and Jarvis & Parker, 2005).
not end in secondary school, but continued They also argued that the learner should
as students’ philosophy of learning in higher be involved in a community of practice that
education (Fry, Ketteridge & Marshall eds., embodies the tenets and behaviors to be
2009; and Sansome, 2016). Succinctly, B. acquired. They eschewed the idea of traditional
Hooks (1994) characterized her graduate cognitive learning, which they saw simply as
education as akin to a banking system; a process of acquisition (Lave & Wenger, 1991;
memorizing and regurgitating information Jarvis & Parker, 2005; and Jing, 2017).

54 © 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
 HONAI: International Journal for Educational, Social, Political & Cultural Studies,
Volume 1(1), May 2018

According to P. Hodkinson et al. (2007), more situated learning could enable students
the problem with the acquisition view of to make progress in the religious classroom
learning is that it separates the learner, by using different methodologies, skills,
the process of learning, and the product and suitable resources. As P. Gateshill & J.
that is learned. They argued that many Thompson (1992) stated as following here:
writers still subscribed to the acquisition
model. P. Hodkinson et al. highlighted three Religious artefacts bring pupils into touch with
the real thing; the actual objects used by people
weaknesses in the acquisition model: first, today in the course of practicing their religions.
it is concerned with the mind and with This opportunity gives pupils some firsthand
propositional knowledge, that is merely experience of religions and is particularly
important for the many children in our classes
based on mental process; second, it is who have direct personal contact with religions
primarily concerned with formal learning; (Gateshill & Thompson, 1992:5).
and third, learning and context are seen as
separate (Hodkinson et al., 2007). Participation or Acquisition? Situated
The basis of the argument is that learning learning is a theory in which learning is
should be seen as participatory, because it is based on relationships between people,
not entirely concerned with formality, i.e. in which educators endeavor for students’
schools; knowledge can be acquired in almost participation in the communities of
entirely informal situations. In addition, in practice, and in which there is an intimate
the situated learning paradigm, learning and connection between knowledge and
situation are inseparable (Tomadaki & Scott activities (Wolfson & Willinsky, 1998; Mills,
eds., 2006; and Jing, 2017). 2013; and O’Kelly, 2016).
We find an example of this paradigm in The main aim of this paper has been to
religious education, where, according to consider how some theorists regard effective
L. Broadbent (2002), experiential learning learning as a solitary and individual pursuit,
strategies to teach ritual practices are fairly whereas others observe it as something
widespread (Broadbent, 2002). Additionally, that can only occur in social situations.
in the context of religious education, I have illustrated that some theorists see
classroom learning may not involve learning learning as the passive acquisition of facts
knowledge about a subject, but may and knowledge and others see it as situated
rather emphasize reflections on experience participation. Because “learning is often
(Grimmit, 2000; Broadbent, 2002; and conflated with formal education” (Adair
Whitworth, 2017). & Goodson, 2006:3-4), which frequently
Despite the integration of some refers to the structured educational system
experiential learning, much religious that leads to formal certification, learning
education still involves memorizing texts and effectively may involve both participation
facts, which are then tested in examination. and acquisition.
This style limits group collaboration to times, Because learning in Brunei Darussalam
when teachers allow group discussions. Thus, has tended to focus on assessment of
as J.S. Brown, A. Collins & P. Duguid (1989) acquisition of facts by written examination,
pointed out, students may pass exams, there is a need to emphasize the importance
which are a distinctive part of school culture, of a balance between passive memorizing
but at the same time be unable to use the and active participation (cf Mussawy,
domain’s conceptual tools in authentic 2009; Tarasat, 2011; and Noor, 2016). For
practice (Brown, Collins & Duguid, 1989). example, teachers need to provide notes and
Therefore, there is a degree of truth in explanations, while students revise from the
the view that religious education, where notes and understand the knowledge given.
the syllabus is related to faith, belief, values, As A. Sfard (1998 and 2001) argued,
truth, justice, duty, and obligation, is choosing either acquisition or participation
different in its curriculum when compared is an unnecessary and counterproductive
with other areas of education. Nevertheless, constraint (Sfard, 1998 and 2001). S. Keiny

© 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
55
PENGIRAN HAJAH SITI NORAINNA BINTI PENGIRAN HAJI BESAR,
Situated Learning Theory

(1998) also argued that the complementarity networks of action. Given that changes to
of the two metaphors, viewed as two sides the environment, tools, and opportunities for
of the coin, emphasizes the coexistence of interaction in a community profoundly affect
learning as matter or acquisition metaphor; learning, teachers should find pedagogical
and learning as process or participation entry points in a community through
metaphor (Keiny, 1998:2). recognizing possibilities for and animating
Moreover, the relative advantages of action toward change (McGregor, 2004;
each of participation and acquisition make Felder & Brent, 2005; and Sansome, 2016).
it difficult to give up either, because each Teachers should take into consideration,
has something to offer that the other cannot in their lesson planning and style of teaching,
provide. The combination of the acquisition students’ differences in the classroom.
and participation metaphors would bring If there is a high level of compatibility
to the fore the advantages of each of them, between teachers’ thinking and teaching
while keeping their respective drawbacks at styles and their pupils’ learning styles, then
bay (Keiny, 1998; and Sfard, 1998 and 2001). better academic performances should ensue.
Taking all the arguments from different
standpoints into consideration, learning CONCLUSION
would seem to be most effective when The view that all learning should be
based on what A. Sfard (1998) termed as situated if it is to be effective is too strong.
two metaphors of learning: the acquisition Such a statement ignores the fact that
metaphor and the participation metaphor learning is a matter of acquiring knowledge
(Sfard, 1998). It is also essential to emphasize before one can participate effectively in the
that the teacher’s role in classroom learning situation or real setting. The teacher acts
is of vital importance. as a provider, facilitator, and mediator of
Teachers should be aware of their roles in knowledge; students are able to learn from
transmitting and activating knowledge. For that knowledge and practice it in group
example, teachers should not merely offer activities.
information for the students to assimilate In turn, students arrive at a new level
and then reproduce in an assessment process. of knowledge and understanding based on
Rather, they should stimulate students to their experience as a real practitioner in the
generate ideas, to evaluate, and to work group or community. The different norms
hard to use new ideas in practice (Palos & and values attached to participation and
Maricutoiu, 2006:3). Such a multifaceted acquisition complement one another, and
strategy will enable teachers to deliver either one alone would be insufficient. Thus,
knowledge effectively. applying both acquisition and participation
In addition, T.J. Fenwick (2001) in classroom teaching is the best method for
summarized that the task of teachers in a effective learning.1
situative orientation is to assist students in
becoming fuller participants in a particular
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1
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56 © 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
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58 © 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
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 HONAI: International Journal for Educational, Social, Political & Cultural Studies,
Volume 1(1), May 2018

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© 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai
59
 PENGIRAN HAJAH SITI NORAINNA BINTI PENGIRAN HAJI BESAR,
Situated Learning Theory

Situated Learning in Brunei Darussalam

(Source: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/page/2520, 24/3/2018)

Because learning in Brunei Darussalam has tended to focus on assessment of acquisition of facts by written examination,
there is a need to emphasize the importance of a balance between passive memorizing and active participation. For
example, teachers need to provide notes and explanations, while students revise from the notes and understand the
knowledge given.

60 © 2018 by Minda Masagi Press in Bandung, West Java; and STISIP AI in Wamena, Papua, Indonesia
ISSN 2621-1653 (print), ISSN 2621-3621 (online), and www.journals.mindamas.com/index.php/honai

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