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ERIC Number: EJ1456201
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1366-5626
EISSN: EISSN-1758-7859
Workplace Learning Potential in Uncertain Situations in Care Work
Britta Moeller
Journal of Workplace Learning, v37 n1 p78-92 2025
Purpose: This paper aims to examine uncertain situations with potential for learning in care work. While the dominant learning strategy in elderly care is lecture-based education, learning from and during daily care work routines is crucial and suitable. However, little is known about the potential for learning in daily work in elderly care. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on a doctoral study conducted in Danish nursing homes. Shadowing care workers led to the construction of care work vignettes, which were analyzed and validated in analytic dialogues with field practitioners. Here, a selected vignette forms the empirical base for analyzing uncertainty through the lens of Dewey's philosophy of learning. Findings: The results suggest labeling uncertain situations as noisy, as they are sensorily felt, prompting doubt and perplexity and, hence, reflection and learning. Noisy situations cause breakdowns in action experienced as a tension that triggers reflection, often with colleagues, alongside work. A critical discussion draws attention to silent situations that proceed undisturbedly, according to routine, and, hence, often without reflection. To handle uncertainty, either noisy or silent, care workers must be considered as learning actors. Space and time for reflection are mandatory. Originality/value: By focusing on uncertainty in care work, this study contributes to the understanding of workplace learning potential by clarifying the characteristics of situations useful for systematic exploration and collaborative learning from specific instances in work.
Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Denmark
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A