Action Learning a brief revision What is Action

Action Learning - a brief revision

What is Action Learning?

A continuous process of learning and reflection supported by colleagues, with the intention of getting things done. Mc. Gill and Beatty 1998 1

Principles of Action Learning • Adults learn best when they are actually involved in their own learning about a current life situation • Adults who voluntarily choose a learning experience usually learn more readily Emblen and Gray 1981

Six main elements of action learning • The individual - who voluntarily joins the group • The set - a group of people who meet regularly • The issue or task - each person brings that they want to work on • The processes - the challenge, support • The facilitator - who helps the group as it works and learns • The outcome - action and learning Revans 1991

Action Learning allows individuals to: • Learn from experience • Share that experience with others • Have other colleagues challenge and support • Take that challenge and implement it • Review with those colleagues the action taken and the lessons that are learnt. Revans 1993

Learning happens at three levels: About oneself About the issue being tackled About the process of learning itself

What happens during an action learning set ?

Things to avoid in an action learning set: • Imposing your values and opinions on others • Giving advice • Being judgmental • Criticising or trivialising what the person is presenting

It sounds as though you are feeling…. . How do you feel about…? What do you think is really going on? What do you think would happen if…. ? Do you think that…. ? How would you know if…? What could you do? How can you…. ?

Action Learning A way of learning from our actions, and what happens to us, and around us, by taking time to question, understand reflect, to gain insight, and consider how to act in the future. Weinstein 1999