Research Article

Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative as a Community of Practice

Volume: 59 Number: 1 April 15, 2026
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Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative as a Community of Practice

Abstract

Co-operatives, which are based on cooperation and solidarity, are communities that provide spaces of interaction and experience for their members. These spaces also provide a learning environment for adult members of co-operatives. Given that farmers living in rural areas have limited formal learning experiences, the learning environments provided by agricultural co-operatives are of critical importance. This study focuses on the learning experiences provided to farmers by agricultural co-operatives in rural areas and examines the learning experiences of Gödence Agricultural Development Cooperative member farmers in a rural area from a situated learning perspective. Using a case study approach, the study found that farmers learnt about agricultural production, factory-machine knowledge, and managerial-communication processes, and through these learnings and interactions within the co-operative, they gained new learning experiences in different communities.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ankara Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinasyon Birimi

Project Number

#21L0630001 nolu Doktora Tez Projesi

Ethical Statement

This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Ankara University Rectorate Ethics Committee with the decision number 87771 dated 02.04.2021.

Thanks

This study was supported by Ankara University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit within the scope of Doctoral Thesis Project #21L0630001.

References

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  2. Balcı, A. T. (2022). Köy Enstitüleri, yerel önderler ve kooperatifçilik [Village Institutes, local leaders and cooperatives]. In A. Yıldız (Ed.), Akademide 40 Yıl: Prof. Dr. Meral Uysal’a Armağan (pp. 43-54). Ankara Üniversitesi Yayınları.
  3. Baldacchino, G. (1990). Worker cooperatives with particular reference to Malta: An educationist’s theory and practice. Institute of Social Studies.
  4. Banaji, J. (1976). Summary of selected parts of Kautsky's. Economy and Society, 5(1), 1-49.
  5. Billett, S. (1994). Situated learning: a workplace experience. Australian Journal of Adult and Community Education, 34(2), 112-130.
  6. Billett, S. (2001). Learning through work: Workplace affordances and individual engagement. Journal of Workplace Learning, 13(5), 209-214.
  7. Bogdan, R. C. & Biklen, S. K. (2007) Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theory and Methods. Allyn & Bacon.
  8. Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2023). Thematic analysis. In: Maggino, F. (Ed.) Encyclopedia of quality of life and well-being research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17299-1_3470

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Lifelong learning, Adult Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 15, 2026

Submission Date

March 9, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 59 Number: 1

APA
Balcı, A. T., & Yıldız, A. (2026). Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative as a Community of Practice. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES), 59(1), 65-116. https://doi.org/10.30964/auebfd.1653054
AMA
1.Balcı AT, Yıldız A. Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative as a Community of Practice. JFES. 2026;59(1):65-116. doi:10.30964/auebfd.1653054
Chicago
Balcı, Ali Tansu, and Ahmet Yıldız. 2026. “Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative As a Community of Practice”. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES) 59 (1): 65-116. https://doi.org/10.30964/auebfd.1653054.
EndNote
Balcı AT, Yıldız A (April 1, 2026) Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative as a Community of Practice. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES) 59 1 65–116.
IEEE
[1]A. T. Balcı and A. Yıldız, “Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative as a Community of Practice”, JFES, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 65–116, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.30964/auebfd.1653054.
ISNAD
Balcı, Ali Tansu - Yıldız, Ahmet. “Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative As a Community of Practice”. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES) 59/1 (April 1, 2026): 65-116. https://doi.org/10.30964/auebfd.1653054.
JAMA
1.Balcı AT, Yıldız A. Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative as a Community of Practice. JFES. 2026;59:65–116.
MLA
Balcı, Ali Tansu, and Ahmet Yıldız. “Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative As a Community of Practice”. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES), vol. 59, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 65-116, doi:10.30964/auebfd.1653054.
Vancouver
1.Ali Tansu Balcı, Ahmet Yıldız. Learning in the Shade of the Olive Tree: Situated Learning Experiences in an Agricultural Cooperative as a Community of Practice. JFES. 2026 Apr. 1;59(1):65-116. doi:10.30964/auebfd.1653054

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