Introduction

Abstract

The introduction to Improving Workplace Learning by Teaching Literature: Towards Wisdom explains the use of students’ stories as a way of examining the experience of working with different organisations and individuals. It also explains the book’s several purposes: to provide educators with ideas on how to integrate literature into a work based curriculum; to encourage companies to help their employees become creative and critical thinkers through reading widely; to offer anyone interested in education insights and practical ideas on how a marriage between pragmatic problem solving and reading literature can be effected. The companies illustrated in the book are those that encourage their employees to articulate their knowledge and make their insights available to their organisation. The smart organisation recognises that the knowledge its employees have is where its true wealth lies, and that knowledge can be revealed through inspiring education. The introduction introduces the reader to the book’s mission: there is a pressing need to introduce literature and students’ stories into a business based curriculum.