Situated learning theory proposes that learning is most effective when it occurs in an authentic context that mirrors real-world situations and involves social interaction. According to the theory, placing learners in realistic environments and having them engage with other people on meaningful tasks enhances motivation and provides a richer context for learning compared to traditional classroom settings. The theory emphasizes learning through authentic activities rather than via memorization of facts.

1. Situated Learning Theory
General Idea of situate learning: If you put a learner in a real world situation (authentic context) and interact with
other people then learning occurs.
Situated learning usually involves engaging in tasks which parallel real world applications. The goal is to improve
learning by motivating students and by providing a rich context for learning. It emphasizes the context and application
of knowledge rather than memorizing facts (Heeter, 2005).
In 1988, Lave showed that housewives in Irvine, California who could successfully do the mathematics needed for
comparison shopping were UNABLE to do the same mathematics when they were placed inside a classroom
environment (Wikipedia, 2008a).
A learning environment is considered authentic if the tasks parallel real world situations (Heeter, 2005). Situated
learning theory emphasizes social interactions and authentic learning. Students who work on an authentic learning
task learn associated facts and skills because they need to know these things to accomplish the task. Learners
should engage in context, culture and activity that learning takes place in order to acquire, understand, develop, and
implement cognitive instruments in authentic learning activity.
Recently, situated cognition theorists have been pushing for more authentic research. They argue that situating their
students and research participants in authentic situations will help them achieve better research results and ultimately
enhance their understanding of educational theories. Thus, situated learning usually goes beyond a real world
context, and also includes other social participants in the learner experience (Heeter, 2005).
The two approaches to learning: decontextualized (classroom) versus contextualized (situated) learning.
APPROACH 1: classroom APPROACH 2: authentic
(decontextualized, inert) (situated in real world problem to solve)
For example, go through the Photoshop reference manual, tool For example, start with a visualization task you want to
by tool, in alphabetical order, learning how each tool (line, accomplish (such as, create a logo for a company.) Look up
paint, bucket, select, etc.) works including all possible optional and learn only a few particular tools you realize you may need
settings. to use to accomplish the design.
Table 1: Taken from (Heeter, 2005).