Dreyfus

Novice to Expert: the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition

Introduction This document contains two versions of the Dreyfus ‘novice to expert’ model, one combining the main features of both versions of the model published in the early 1980s, and the other taken from the Institute of Conservation’s professional standards. Benner, P (1984) From novice to expert: excellence and power in The Dreyfus model is used fairly widely (a) to provide a means of assessing and supporting progress in the development of skills or competencies, and (b) to provide a definition of acceptable level for the assessment of competence or capability. The ‘expert’ level does not signify that development stops, as expert practitioners need to evaluate their practice and keep up-to-date with new evidence. clinical nursing practice, Menlo Park CA, Addison-Wesley Further reading Dreyfus, H L and Dreyfus, S E (1986) Mind over Machine: the power of human intuition and expertise in the age of the computer, Oxford, Basil Blackwell

Introduction and adaptations of the Dreyfus model by Stan Lester. If you wish to use extracts from this document, please reference the URL as well as including a reference to the original source materials.

© Stan Lester Developments 2005 s.lester<at>devmts.co.uk tel +44 (0)1823 333091 Document located at http://www.sld.demon.co.uk/dreyfus.pdf

Novice-to-Expert summary

Novice Has an incomplete understanding, approaches tasks mechanistically and needs supervision to complete them.

Advanced Beginner Has a working understanding, tends to see actions as a series of steps, can complete simpler tasks without supervision.

Competent Has a good working and background understanding, sees actions at least partly in context, able to complete work independently to a standard that is acceptable though it may lack refinement.

Proficient Has a deep understanding, sees actions holistically, can achieve a high standard routinely.

Expert Has an authoritative or deep holistic...