Classrooms as Formal Contexts for Learning

Abstract

In simple terms a learning context occurs when a person encounters a learning opportunity in the course of everyday life. This definition does not assume success in learning, merely that there is an opportunity that may or may not be acted upon. When a person makes a commitment to learn, the opportunity becomes a goal. The analysis of any learning context must first, therefore, account for the relationships between learners and learning opportunities. However, as we have seen in Chapter 1, teachers are major players in classrooms learning contexts, and the full picture will also include teachers’ contributions. The relationships between learners, teachers and learning opportunities together constitute the basis of classroom management practices.