Situated learning is when the learner gains core skills in the practice-based setting and is extremely important in healthcare education. Examples of situated learning include pharmacy technician students working within a pharmacy while studying for their qualification and counter assistants completing their over-the-counter training by learning with colleagues.

The benefits of situated learning include:

In the context of a student pharmacy technician’s training, the learner grows in ability and accomplishments over time as they learn to put their more theoretical, classroom-based education into practice.

Another concept to consider is how people learn in groups when working on shared projects with common goals. Theorists Lave and Wenger suggested that the culture of the group is as important as the level of technical ability of the learner. They also suggested that the important point was being a team member and having a part to undertake, even in a junior role. They called this legitimate peripheral participation, which they felt was crucial for the individual’s success.