Apprenticeship
Levels of Expertise Development
Brief Description
Level 1: IMMERSION. The teacher plunges the student into multiple, engaging activities. The student develops gradual awareness and recognition of elements in the domain. Ideally, this occurs from infancy in many of the domains relevant to ethical development. However, for some individuals and for some categories, one begins as a novice (like learning rock climbing when you are fifty) –regardless of age—and builds skills towards expertise.
Level 2: FOCUSING ATTENTION. The teacher focuses the student’s attention on the elemental skills in the domain. Skills are gradually acquired through motivated, focused attention. Ideally, this begins in toddlerhood.
Level 3: PRACTICE. The teacher coaches the student and allows the student to try out many skills throughout the domain. Skills are developed through practice and exploration. Ideally, this occurs in childhood.
Level 4: INTEGRATION. The student finds numerous mentors and/or seeks out information to continue building skills. There is a gradual systematic integration and application of skills across many situations.
Level 5: EXPERTISE. The individual is regarded as a first-class scholar/performer/leader in this area. In each area, there are many kinds of expertise so we do not describe this level, nor do we believe that this level is a realistic goal for middle school. The expert exhibits synthesis, creativity and generativity in the domain.
