ERIC Number: EJ1054015
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1366-5626
EISSN: N/A
Amateurism and Professionalism in Work and Learning
Edwards, Richard
Journal of Workplace Learning, v26 n6-7 p406-417 2014
Purpose: This article aims to explore the concept of amateurism as a form of critique and addition to the concepts of professionalism, professional work and education. Design/methodology/approach: This is a theoretically driven article based upon a review of the historical and sociological literature on amateur-professional relations in various work contexts. Findings: While amateurism is usually conceived pejoratively, the notion of doing something "for the love of it", even if one is not formally qualified, opens up the possibilities for conceiving new forms of work, worker and sets of working relationships based upon different conceptions of expertise. Drawing upon historical and contemporary studies of the contribution of amateurism to professional work, and exploring the role of digital technologies in enabling amateurs to contribute to forms of professional practice, the article explores some of the challenges posed for work and learning, and suggests some lines of research to be explored. Originality/value: There has been little to no consideration of amateurism as a positive contribution to considerations of professional work, nor exploration of the expertise and learning of amateurs.
Descriptors: Professional Identity, Novices, Professional Education, Workplace Learning, Research Needs, Qualifications, Professional Development, Interprofessional Relationship, Collegiality, Educational History, Educational Development, Information Sources, Influence of Technology, Foreign Countries, Educational Practices
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A