PROFESSIONAL LEARNING IN A CHANGING SOCIETY
Institute for Educational Research, University of Oslo
Oslo, Norway, 25-27. November 2004
AIM OF THE CONFERENCE
Modern societies are increasingly dependent on the professions. Their knowledge and decisions influence all facets of modern life and contribute to frame most of what we do. Yet, we know surprisingly little about how professionals acquire knowledge, make decisions: In short, how they learn. The aim of the conference is to explore this issue.
The rapid institutional and cultural shifts characteristic of modern society challenge the embeddedness of individuals in professional communities and transform their learning process. In this context, traditional theories of learning are contested and questions related to identity formation, motivation, and belonging are brought to the fore. Also debates within the research community itself have contributed a renewed interest in the theme of professional learning. The “pragmatic turn” in the social and behavioural sciences has contributed to reframe issues related to knowledge, artifacts and social practice as well as to introduce new themes, concepts and methodological strategies to the field. By drawing together researchers from different disciplines and perspectives we wish to lay the ground for new approaches and collaborations within the field of professional learning as broadly defined.
The conference also serves as a kick-off seminar for the ProLearn project.
Supported by:
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