Three forms of learning in social context

Abstract

This paper is an analysis of different forms of! earning in their social context. The forms of learning emerged from a research project into the ways that adults learn and the subsequent analysis endeavours to locate the types of learning within the wider social context. It is a tentative movement in the direction of a sociology of learning. There is not really sufficient space during this presentation to argue for a definition of learning and so one is suggested here: that learning is the transformation of experience into knowledge, skills and attitudes. The first part of the paper briefly describes the research project itself and its findings; thereafter there are three parts which discuss the three main forms of learning; finally, there is a brief concluding discussion.