Tacit Knowlege

How do we teach through apprenticeship.

Tacit knowledge is implicit and resides in an individual’s subconscious, often rooted in personal experiences and context-specific insights. It is not readily expressed in written or verbal form and remains hidden beneath the surface. Tacit knowledge is highly personal and shaped by an individual’s unique perspectives and skills.

It is primarily gained through hands-on experience, practice, and observation, rather than formal training. Tacit knowledge often involves subjective judgments, gut feelings, and intuitive understanding…art rather than science.

Transferring tacit knowledge to others is difficult because it requires interpersonal interaction, mentorship, apprenticeship, or immersive learning experiences. Examples include a chef’s ability to create a perfect dish without a recipe, a musician’s sense of timing and rhythm. Connoisseurship developed through years of close examination is a form of tacit knowledge.

Tacit knowledge complements explicit knowledge, forming a comprehensive knowledge base within individuals and organizations. Sharing tacit information is often not part of the curriculum, and yet is an essential teaching goal.