Action learning benefits individuals, teams, and organizations. Action learning benefits and drawbacks action learning. Download action learning sets food and agriculture organization book pdf free download link or read online here in pdf. The action learning sets the groups that are formed in action learning are known as action learning sets. What is the difference between how you see things now and how you would like. Action learning sets als are used internationally, across a range of organisations and sectors, for workforce development and improving practice anderson and thorpe, 2004, pounder, 2009. An exploratory evaluation of an action learning set within a. The 7 most important rules for successful action learning. An action learning case study by will perry from changing post to help explain what makes action learning so powerful and how it works if youd like to. Since action learning sets are about learning from experiences, episodes. Discipline of the action set in following the action learning principals is needed departure from these can lead to an ineffective group and failure to take action the desire to accomplish the task can sometimes overwhelm the reflective feedback learning process leading to a failure of the process.
An introduction and some methods introduction to action learning action learning is a development process. Paper 32 action learning action research and action. The voluntary participants in the group or set learn with and from each other and take forward an important issue with the support of other members of the set. Action learning, in the simplest definition, is a process based on a set of people who initiate creative solutions in tackling complex problems on individuals, groups of people and corporations corporation a corporation is a legal entity created by individuals, stockholders, or shareholders, with the purpose of operating for profit. For groups, action learning occurs when stakeholders use real problems to acquire learning and implement systemwide solutions.
Action learning is an educational process by which a person studies his or her own actions and experience to improve performance. Action learning a process which supports organisational. Action learning sets als are used widely for organisational and workforce development, including in nursing anderson and thorpe, 2004, pounder, 2009, young et al. Action learning paper 32 7 perhaps it is an action learning team. The contract should aim to clarify set members expectations of the meeting and outline an agreed set of ground rules. Chapter 3 examines the practice of interorganisational action learning. The findings support the hypothesis that a critically reflective practice of action learning can lead to improved decisionmaking, increased confidence and a willingness. Action learning is a process of mutual learning within small sets of managers, generally through application and reflection on workplace issues and problems. An exploratory evaluation of an action learning set within. This document is intended as a starting point only.
Action learning set and personal development argumentative. Action learning introduction by reg revans youtube. Put simply, it is about solving problems and getting things done. Action learning a process which supports organisational change initiatives.
Benefits action learning sets have been used by civil and nongovernment organizations. Download and create your own document with action learning log template 253kb 4 pages for free. Action learning is a process of insightful questioning and reflective listening. Action learning is an experiential learning method in which participants learn by doing and then reflecting on what they have done. The voluntary participants in the group or set learn. How to use action learning sets to support nurses article pdf available in nursing times 1081819. The links in the next section are to more complete descriptions of the action learning process. Dec 18, 2014 action learning is a highly social activity and process which takes time to be fully effective. Action learning in a nutshell itap international, inc.
Action learning is a learning and problemsolving technique often used in organisations. This action learning presentation is an excellent place to start to help people understand what action learning is and how it works. Read online action learning sets food and agriculture organization book pdf free download link book now. Reg revans developed action learning in the 1940s at the national coal board. All books are in clear copy here, and all files are secure so dont worry about it.
Pdf an exploratory evaluation of an action learning set within a. I have been involved running several action learning sets over a number of years, both as a facilitator and as a current member of two, and find them a wonderfully fluid and affirming way to develop. The trainers are very motivating and knowledgeable a credit to the learning community. For individuals, action learning is a behavioral coaching methodology that applies the same 4 steps. Abstract leaders of organisations are seeking new ways of developing capacities in their organisations to learn and relearn. From day 1 of the course and throughout the three days, participants work together in their own action. Developing the individuals knowledge base and skill sets are just as essential as arriving at the solution to the scenario or problem. Action learning in action action learning has been around since the 1930s, but it can be used to improve organizations today. This can be useful for an assessm ent of the results obtained.
Action learning may be viewed as a model of the learning. Action learning set definition of action learning set by. If so, we can provide a tailored course to train your staff to facilitate action learning sets, either on site or at your chosen venue. The aim of the sets was to support primary and commu. Therefore, there is a close but somewhat paradoxical relationship between action learning and workplace learning. Action learning in ac tion action learning has been around since the 1930s, but it can be used to improve organizations today. In addition to action learning sets, there are four other key components that may be applied in an action learning sets. Action learning is not useful if the task that a set member is working on is a technical puzzle with a limited number of correct solutions. Action learning sets in a nursing and midwifery practice.
Action learning is a style of learning which leads to very practical knowledge and. Action learning sets are a simple and powerful way for individuals to learn from each other. Benefits of action learning on individuals, teams, and. Action learning is a continuous process of learning and reflection that happens with the support of a group or set of colleagues, working on real issues, with the intention of getting things done. Pdf action learning sets involve regular, actionfocused peerdiscussion groups that address workplace issues. There are a variety of excellent tools available to use to help educate people regarding action learning as well as assist in facilitating the creating of an action learning set. Sarah king, human resources, jobcentre plus a concise yet concentrated guide to action learning sets which made optimum learning use of all the sessions. The facilitator also had experience working with nurses on action learning and action research projects in the past stark. Action learning uses a very structured, facilitated questioning process to explore a bottleneck. They are a popular method in the field of action learning.
In the united kingdom, a multifaceted educational pilot programme for new nurses and midwives was implemented to accelerate their clinical practice and leadership development nhs education scotland, 2010. By closing this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Action learning privileges questions over solutions in seeking learning from action on organizational challenges, whilst critical action learning is a variety that employs insights from critical. A practical example key words workplace learning, action learning, learning organisation. A good balance of learning and fun, with great insight into what is important in a group. Author links open overlay panel scott lamont b scott brunero b ron russell a. Introduction to action learning and action learning sets what are action learning sets. A guide to an action learning sets by als facilitator val theadom. It should be held in a space where they will be free from distraction. A group of peers or students who meet for sessions over a period of time, often with a facilitator, to help each other identify learning needs, reflect on and learn from issues that they each face at work. At an action learning kickoff meeting, team members are trained in the action learning process, including how to ask questions rather than to give advice.
In action learning, a small group of 58 persons called action learning set meets regularly for a day or half a day over at least 6 months. Usually, action learning is accomplished in action learning sets of five or six to provide a group size that promotes ease of communication. However free choices may be dangerous when used as a unique strategy. At hfl, most of the 200 leadership programs developed over the last few years have contained an alp component. Action learning is a behavioral change process model that works 1 for groups and 2 for individuals. Action learning sets action learning sets are a structured method enabling small groups to address complicated issues by meeting regularly and working collectively. Action learning sets are a structured method enabling small groups to. Nov 24, 2009 a brief overview on the action learning construct. The practical primacy of questions in action learning. Basically, four to eight people work together to solve a problem, reflect on what they learn.
Action learning is a process which involves working on real challenges, using the knowledge and skills of a small group of people combined with skilled. Action learning sets a brief introduction what is action learning. In such instances, it is better to tackle that the issue through consultation with experts, research, or training. The typical action learning program can last between four to nine months. A guide to setting up an action learning programme rapidbi. Overview action learning sets consist of a peer group generally learning environment. Pdf collaborative processes which enable problem solving and decision. Managing professional development using action learning. At mc, we use a range of action learning techniques to help learning stick. They are run in different ways, and the benefits differ according to the purpose of the set and the level of people involved. When devising a management development programme or leadership programme, it is important to ensure that participants are not only taught or trained, but that they have an opportunity to put learning into action.
Scroll down to read the article or download a printfriendly pdf. Prepared for my ma program in industrial psychology at the chicago school of professional psychology. Case study, nursing in the uk sheila stark the manchestermetropolitan university united kingdom a primary care group in the north west of england commissioned the facilitation of action learning sets from a local university. Pdf action learning is a structured method that enables small groups to work regularly and collectively on. A guide to an action learning sets by als facilitator val. This tool is especially geared to learning and personal development at the professional and managerial levels. Action learning sets are a core element of the common ground initiative peer learning. For most learning designers the idea of action learning is to provide an opportunity to participants in a learning program to put their learning into action on a real life project.
An exploratory evaluation of an action learning set within a mental health service. Some of us believe that facilitation should be used primarily at the start of an action learning. The centrality of questions in action learning is fundamental for both theory and practice. Nov 01, 2008 action learning is a structured method that enables small groups to work regularly and collectively on complicated problems, take action, and learn as individuals and as a team while doing so.
The facilitator might remind set members of groundrules that were established during the. The process is nondirective, nonjudgemental, supportive, and confidential. Will the proposed set attract sufficient support from the organisation. A problem this is typically a nontechnical problem, and must pertain to either strategic or tacticalbased scenarios or issues. This guide describes the process of action learning. Action learning sets are particularly appropriate for profes.
The action learning format used is based on the model originally devised by reg revans. To learn about our use of cookies and how you can manage your cookie settings, please see our cookie policy. In action learning sets, the learners are encouraged to meet on a regular basis, explore answers to the problems, and to collectively decide upon the most appropriate solution. Using the knowledge and skills of a small group of people, they involve explicitly stopping to reflect back on actions taken, drawing out learning from that reflection, and applying that learning to planned practice. Shurville and rospigliosi 2009 have explored using virtual action learning to promote selfmanagement by the team. Sometimes, action learning sets can be topic based where the group agrees to look at a particular topic like change management or management style, where they might do some reading around the topic before the session, discuss at the start of the set and then go onto the learning set element looking at individual challenges. Describes an action learning approach to facilitating the implementation of a workplace. This is just one structure you can use and you will find that different models are appropriate for different groups. The following links are to concise descriptions of the concept of action learning. This is examined in relation to action learning theory and the rationale for crossorganisational learning in the global. The facilitator should act when appropriate to prevent digression, to ensure that questions are formulated in an open way, and to keep things to time. This experiential course will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to facilitate their own sets. In action learning sets the main role of the facilitator is to hold the process and ensure the focus remains on learning about the real issues.
Reg revans, the principal pioneer of action learning, a scientist who made important contributions to the fields of management and organizational development, put the search for fresh questions and questioning insight at the core of action learning. Action learning set contract between set members this brief document aims to form the basis of a contract between set members. Pdf how to use action learning sets to support nurses. Aurora team, november 20 action learning questions asking questions puts you in danger of finding out what you need to know.
Abstract action learning sets involve regular, action focused peerdiscussion groups that address workplace issues. Professor reg revans explains the philosophy, origins and applications of action learning in archive footage from 1984. In most varieties, the participants work on real tasks in small teams learning sets. I thought i had a good grasp of what went on within our department, of the issues that individuals faced and a sense that we were in a state of dynamic equilibrium. Basically, four to eight people work together to solve a problem, reflect on what they learn as they proceed and then implement their solution. Perhaps in this role they are working together to solve some problem it may be a shared problem, or a problem or task that one of them has brought to the team. The ala training course was endorsed by the ilm in 2008, in recognition of its professional standards and we have now trained in excess of 1,300 action learning facilitators. For revans action learning is a process of selfdiscovery and learning in a social context, therefore for revans, the role of facilitator is likely to cloud the very act of learning due to their. Over several months people working in a small group, tackle important organisational issues or problems and learn from their attempts to change things. Being free of organisational baggage was seen as an important factor that may help to disruptchallenge dominant and ritualistic ways of being and thinking.
Abstract this paper reflects on how action learning sets were used to support organisational change initiatives. Action learning tackles problems through a process of first asking questions to clarify the exact nature of the problem, reflecting and identifying possible solutions, and only then taking action. Action learning overview, guide, example of how it works. This article focuses on a specific way of doing this action learning sets. It sets the scene with contextualising the inclusion of change projects in a masters programme. This is worked on throughout the period of the action learning programme, not just in the action learning sets it is something that you are working on in the course of your day to day duties, a workplace activity. Haith mp et al 2012 how to use action learning sets to support nurses. Action learning is not management or skills training or an education. Here is an example of a typical action learning model which you can use when running an action learning set. Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. All about action learning free management library sm.
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