Mimetic Learning at Work

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Mimetic Learning in and for Work

   • Stephen Billett

   Pages 1-21

3. Learning Through Practice Across Human History

   • Stephen Billett

   Pages 23-39

4. Work-Life Learning as Mimetic

   • Stephen Billett

   Pages 41-60

5. Supporting Mimetic Learning: Practice Curriculum, Pedagogies and Epistemologies

   • Stephen Billett

   Pages 61-81

6. Implications for Practice

   • Stephen Billett

   Pages 83-103

7. Back Matter

   Pages 105-107

   PDF

​The concept of mimetic learning at work is outlined and elaborated in this text. That elaboration consists of an account of how securing occupational capacities has been primary associated with learning processes and an explanation of those processes. Much, and probably most, of the learning and development across individuals working lives occurs outside of circumstances of direct guidance or instruction. Yet, recent considerations of individuals’ epistemologies and developments form anthropology and cognitive science suggest that current explanations about individuals’ contributions to learning at and through work are incomplete. So, there is need for an emphasis on individuals’ processes of learning, both within and outside of situations of guidance by more experienced workers, needs to be more fully understood, and accepted as being person dependent. Contributions from anthropology, developmental studies, and cognitive neuroscience now augment those from sociocultural theory.

• Epistemological practice
• Learning through practice
• Mimesis
• Mimetic learning
• Ongoing learning
• Practice based learning
• Professional development
• Professional learning
• Professional preparation
• Vocational education
• Workbased learning
• Workplace learning
• continued education and training
• occupational preparation
• ongoing learning across working life
• professional education
• learning and instruction

• Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, Australia

  Stephen Billett

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