Becoming a Psychotherapist: Learning Practices and Identity Construction Across Communities of Practice

Within a perspective that views groups as communities of practice and sites of construction of knowledge, learning, and identity, this article aims to explore the contribution that participation in different groups over the course of one’s life provides to the development of the professional practices of psychotherapist trainees enrolled in the C.O.I.R.A.G. school, an Italian graduate program in group psychotherapy. Through qualitative analyses of 10 semi-structured interviews, our study empirically shows that by participating in groups, the trainees not only learn the practices of that group but also develop a sort of meta-learning which takes place across groups. The results highlight that: (1) Transversality, duration, and informality are found to be the group properties with the highest formative value; and (2) Learning practices across different groups have common characteristics: are organized around complex topics of group life (e.g., how to manage conflicts, how to join and leave groups, etc.), began in early group experiences, are in continuous evolution, are associated with a critical event, and a negative affect. At the same time, it seems that these critical events are exactly what triggered and sustained the learning practices. Data from the interviews also showed how professional identities are constructed as the outcome of learning in different communities of practice. The study outlines how the experience made in different groups is elaborated in and through meaningful self-narratives, highlighting them as a fundamentally collective and culturally shaped sense-making process. Overall, these results contribute to a better understanding of learning processes as situated and jointly constructed through multiple group participations over time. Furthermore, they contribute to highlighting the role of self-narratives as a primary way through which trainees shape their identity as self-reflexive professionals who are competent in reading group dynamics. Directions for future research and suggestions for psychotherapist training paths are outlined in the conclusions.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Collaborative Research—in Dialogues We Trust

By building upon the prior work exploring the nature of practicing and knowing in collaborative research (CR), this article argues that focusing on how trust evolves in collaborative dialogue could enhance the learning potential in CR projects. Drawing from 42 workshops within a CR project, we analyze how dialogue and learning practices develop trust. We use the dialogical framework developed by Walton and Krabbe (1995) to identify and classify 107 dialogues. From our data, we identify three distinct dialogical patterns (educating, inquiring and practicing). These three dialogical patterns are related to four learning practices that are conceptualized as knowledge sharing, knowledge gapping, knowledge bettering and knowledge speculating. Combined, these dialogical patterns and learning practices develop collaborative trust in CR projects. We propose that these results represent an emerging conceptual language that addresses the development of trust in managing CR projects. This conceptual language can both improve managerial practice in the CR context and inspire future theory building.

A Cognitive Load Perspective to Instructional Design for Online Learning

Learners struggle to keep up with the cognitive demands of online learning. Terms referring to the drain of learners' cognitive resources such as “Zoom fatigue” have been around for a while. The instructional design of online courses must consider cognitive factors more than ever. The cognitive load theory (CLT) has major underpinnings for designing online courses. The CLT seeks to optimize the learning process by considering the demands of the learning tasks (intrinsic cognitive load), design of the learning material (extrinsic cognitive load), and activation of learners' cognitive resources (germane cognitive load). Several principles have been proposed to manage each cognitive load type. This chapter will begin by outlining the CLT. Then, well-defined cognitive load effects will be introduced, along with evidence from the field. Next, new frontiers of the theory will be presented. Finally, implications of the cognitive load effects for online learning practices will be discussed.

Fostering Cultural Awareness Through Storytelling at a Multilingual Primary School

This chapter is a contribution to teacher education and teacher development studies in the field of plurilingualism and intercultural development through critical reflection. It presents a teaching proposal based on the use of a multimodal literary text for the promotion of intercultural awareness and translanguaging practices at its heart. The teaching proposal, which was implemented in a primary education class from a multilingual school in Catalonia in 2015, was designed ad hoc on the basis of relevant research works on TLA, plurilingualism, and intercultural awareness, and in the light of the interviews conducted before and after the implementation in the workfield. The study was carried out in an English as an additive language class to look into the teaching opportunities of storytelling and picture books to foster interculturality and effective language learning practices with a communicative approach.

People, Place, and Purpose

While higher ed institutions have been incorporating online learning into their curriculum and delivery of content, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for major reform and reconsideration of learning practices, especially online. This chapter focuses on the ramifications of the pandemic on people, place, and purpose in ways that will have long-lasting meaning for both higher education options and the future of work for years to come. From the form of delivery to the way in which content becomes measured, mastered, and linked to employment opportunities, the future of higher education and work will demand non-degree offerings (NDO) that align with skills gap needs to improve efficiency, speed to completion, and qualifications for jobs and/or promotion.

Education 3.0

Bestselling organizational, behavioral, and academic authors such as Dan Pink, Peter Senge, John Medina, Clayton Christensen, and dozens more illustrate that despite research-based, proven actions regarding organizational, managerial, and strategic planning best practices as well as innovative thinking that is impactful or efficacious, organizations continue to employ behaviors that are dysfunctional, ineffective, and lead to poor outcomes. Some of these same authors amongst others point out that this is as true in higher education as any sector. But while other industries are primed for innovative solutioning to these issues, education employs systems and processes that prohibit transformation. Reaching Education 3.0, meaning to leverage the best learning practices through the confluence of neuroscience, research-based learning design, and educational technology, will require innovative strategies and practices. The question is whether colleges and universities can push through existing, dysfunctional infrastructure and move forward to help students learn, succeed, and thrive.

Exposing Mental Models to Accelerate Distance Learning Environments

This chapter forms one part in a series of chapters offering recommendations to design effective distance and blended learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unintended catalyst for change in schools. Due to the closing of school buildings in the spring of 2020, school districts were forced to quickly transition to distance learning or blended learning. Even before COVID-19, many districts failed to successfully and systematically implement the new knowledge and skills acquired in these sessions. So, the question is, why has blended and distance learning practices continued to function in pockets throughout a school district and not systematically throughout the school organization? One can argue that full implementation was impeded by the lack of budgetary resources and infrastructure or unaligned curriculum, instruction, and assessments.

ANALISIS PENANAMAN NILAI KARAKTER PADA MATA PELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN JASMANI DI SD NEGERI GUGUS 8 KECAMATAN PRAYA BARAT

This study aims to describe how to instill character values ​​in physical education subjects at SD Negeri Gugus 8, Praya Barat District. The problems studied in this study are (1) what are the ways or steps in inculcating character values ​​in physical education subjects in elementary schools, (2) what are the things that affect the inculcation of character values ​​in physical education subjects. The type of research used is descriptive qualitative research with data collection techniques using interviews and documentation studies. While the data analysis technique used is the Miles and Huberman model which consists of stages (1) data reduction (2) data presentation (3) data verification, and using triangulation methods as data validity. Based on the results of data analysis, the results of the study indicate that, (1) there are several ways or steps that can be taken in instilling character values ​​in physical education subjects, namely: (a) teachers improve their attitudes first (b) familiarize students with praying before and after learning; (c) familiarize students with rows; (d) maximizing each set of learning practices; (e) modification of game rules on learning materials; (f) reaffirming the character values ​​contained in the learning materials at the learning reflection stage; (g) coordinate with parents and guardians of students. (2) things that affect the inculcation of character values ​​in physical education subjects consist of: (a) inhibiting factors which include certain cultural traditions in society, limitations of tools and media, and student delinquency; (b) supporting factors, which include teachers, student readiness, learning methods and techniques, as well as the involvement of various parties.