Social Learning Theory

1. Social Learning Theory Microlearning Sessions by Nursing Education Network

2. Key Learning Outcomes Introduce and provide an overview of social learning theory: • Describe social learning theory and key concepts • Communities of Practice by Etienne Wenger • Share key learning resources

3. Social Learning Theory Key Reference: Wenger, E. (2000). Communities of practice and social learning systems. Organization, 7(2), 225-246. • Learning is a social process according to Wenger (1999). • Wenger explains that part of being human is the willingness or desire to form communities, and through these are the essential components of learning opportunities. • Being part of this community is what Wenger (2000) calls “social learning systems, to create a view of knowing and practice as meaning”. Photo by You X Ventures on Unsplash

4. Community of Practice (CoP’s) Key Reference: Nursing Education Network. (2019). Communities of Practice (CoP) by Etienne Wenger. • A community of practice is formed by people interacting and sharing a process or passion of collective learning. • Wenger uses the terminology of social competence and personal experience for social learning that is classified into three modes of engagement, imagination and alignment. • New terminology for online communities of practice are eCoP’s (electronic) and vCOP (virtual).

5. References • Nursing Education Network. (2016). Communities of Practice (CoP) by Etienne Wenger. • Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of Practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge University press. [sample here] • Wenger, E. (2000). Communities of practice and social learning systems. Organization, 7(2), 225-246. • Wenger, E. & Wenger-Trayner, B. (2015). Introduction to communities of practice: A brief overview of the concept and its uses. • Visit Nursing Education Network blog for more nursing and healthcare education theory.