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Learning from Experience: From Workplace Learning to Communities of Practice

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Faculty Development in the Health Professions

Part of the book series: Innovation and Change in Professional Education ((ICPE,volume 11))

Abstract

The faculty development literature primarily describes formal, structured approaches to faculty development. The goal of this chapter is to highlight the important role that ‘learning on the job’ can play in the development of faculty competencies. More specifically, we will discuss the basic principles of workplace learning and some of its key components, including role modeling, reflection, and learning from peers. The link between workplace learning and communities of practice will also be described, as will the role of communities of practice in nurturing faculty development. Faculty developers can help individuals and institutions to value and promote workplace learning and assist in the establishment of communities of practice that can foster professional growth and renewal.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Medical Education and Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Yvonne Steinert Ph.D.

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  1. Yvonne Steinert Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Yvonne Steinert Ph.D. .

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  1. Fac. of Medicine, Centre for Med. Educ., McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada

    Yvonne Steinert

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Steinert, Y. (2014). Learning from Experience: From Workplace Learning to Communities of Practice. In: Steinert, Y. (eds) Faculty Development in the Health Professions. Innovation and Change in Professional Education, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7612-8_7

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