Role of identity in VET learning

Adults use all sorts of resources in their learning events. For example, they might use a computer, a book or a face-to-face interaction with a colleague. An elusive component of learning events - another of these resources - has been shown to be the identities of the learning participants. These identities are key to influencing the effectiveness of the learning outcomes. Some researchers identify the importance of the role of identity as an aspect of social capital development in workplace learning communities of practice. Others, such as Falk and Kilpatrick (2000) refer to ‘identity resources’ as a component of social capital building and learning. However, the articulation of the rather general term ‘identity’ remains incomplete. What is required is to identify the kinds of identity resources that are called into play in interactions and what this might mean for VET [vocational education and training] learning. This paper provides a framework for practitioners that helps make identity work explicit in the design of VET programs.

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The volumes from which this paper is taken are indexed from TD/TNC 77.351 to TD/TNC 77.353. Individual papers are indexed from TD/TNC 77.354 to TD/TNC 77.437. Show less