praksisfelt

Praksisfelt is a Norwegian term used in education, sociology and professional studies to denote the social and material space where professional work is performed and knowledge is enacted. It refers to the field in which practitioners operate, learn, and improvise in response to real tasks and constraints.

Etymology: The word combines praksis (practice) and felt (field), aligning with broader sociological notions of field and practice, and relating to concepts such as situated learning and communities of practice.

Characteristics: A praksisfelt comprises people, tools, routines, policies, and institutions that shape what counts as legitimate knowledge and effective action. Knowledge is often tacit and context-specific and is developed through participation, observation, and collaboration. The social dynamics, power relations, and resource availability within the field influence professional judgment and identity.

Uses: In research and education, the term is used to analyze how policy, organizational structures, and cultural norms influence everyday work. It is central to studies of professional learning, curriculum development for teacher education, and organizational change. The concept also supports comparisons across professions such as healthcare, teaching, social work, and engineering.

See also: communities of practice, situated learning, professionalization, field (sociology).