Premium
Can we make development training developmental?
Author(s) -
Mann Pete
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
public administration and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-162X
pISSN - 0271-2075
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-162x(199902)19:1<105::aid-pad58>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - underpinning , tacit knowledge , competence (human resources) , knowledge management , engineering ethics , task (project management) , training and development , zone of proximal development , psychology , computer science , mathematics education , management , engineering , social psychology , civil engineering , economics
This article questions whether the requirements demanded for effective performance in the field of development are sufficiently addressed through training that traditionally emphasizes acquisition of intellectual competence from knowledge articulated in instruction‐led teaching. Casting the task in development training as the strengthening of the capacity of practise, the author asks what kind of purpose, approach and focus in learning best responds to the demands of practitioners working in the difficult circumstances of the unknown. Three core concepts are introduced as underpinning an emphasis in development training that makes learning developmental: meta goals, experience‐based problem solving and tacit knowledge. The conceptual interrelationship of all three concepts bridges the gulf in practitioner development of the conflicting thought worlds between the tacit practice of development and the explicit understanding of that practice. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.