Bridging the gap: the use of learning partnerships to enhance workplace learning

This paper examines the use of peer learning strategies and in particular learning partnerships, in a training program. Learning partnerships in this context are “learning relationships involving occasional meetings in which students support each others learning.” (Sampson & Cohen, 2001, p. 40). They attempt to stimulate, promote and engage individuals in effective problem solving, reflection and other forms of higher order thinking with their partners. Learning partnerships are traditionally employed in higher education to support student learning and usually involves one to one interactions. However in this program, learning partnerships and allied strategies were embedded to help participants extend and apply their skills in ‘learning how to learn’. The intention was that once these skills were developed, participants would be better equipped to transfer their learning into the workplace. The research analyses the level of success of the learning strategies employed, especially the use of learning partnerships in the transfer of learning to the workplace. (Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 2005, 6(2), 716).

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