Learning as Practice
The technical way that “practice” is being used in anthropology, sociology, and the social theory of learning is that practice is a set of actions and skills, backed by theoretical understanding of the processes involved, which cannot be done by a casual layperson. Praxis is informed, committed action for which there is purpose and usually employment or an otherwise clearly defined set of expertise, whether it is mathematics, science, art, drama, police work, truck driving or ballet.
This approach to training helps people build a model of lifelong learning in which they are always seeking to get better at what they do. Most of the time, we go to school, get a degree or certificate, then enter the workforce and learn how to do the job while on the job. The situated learning / community of practice model seeks to go two significant directions: to bring as much of the real world of practice into the classroom, and once on the job, to keep the concept of continuous learning and improvement of practice into our everyday jobs by sharing information, key insights, using mentors, and cultivating a spirit of learning and improvement, in addition to the formal seminars and training sessions held. We can continue to observe, ask questions, learn and improve our different practices. This is the heart of understanding learning as being situated in a community of practice. We learn from each other, both formally and informally.