Learning at the boundary: An introduction

Most educational research has focused on understanding learning and development within a particular area of expertise or practice. Yet, people increasingly move between different institutionalized practices such as school, work and family life, but also interact with people from different professions, disciplines and cultures. In this introduction, we discuss how learning can be shaped by movements across boundaries. We describe how boundaries can be crossed by people, objects and interactions and how this can lead to learning in different ways. We explain how the various contributions of the special issue are complementary by studying various forms of learning. As such, the special issue offers an integrative discussion and empirical ground for a learning theory that moves beyond single and singular domains.

► Educational research has focused mostly on learning in bounded domains/practices.
► Yet, people increasingly move beyond social, institutional, cultural, and professional boundaries.
► This special issue addresses learning as shaped by movements across boundaries.
► Doing so, it challenges traditional learning theory.