The most successful action learning programs carefully focus on the organizational challenges, participants, and the specific competencies targeted. Using action learning to tackle food insecurity in scotland. What about the pitfalls and risks of action learning. For groups, action learning occurs when stakeholders use real problems to acquire learning and implement systemwide solutions. Action learning paper 32 7 perhaps it is an action learning team. In general, action learning involves four basic steps. Action learning is an educational process by which a person studies his or her own actions and experience to improve performance. Action learning is a behavioral change process model that works 1 for groups and 2 for individuals. Action learning uses a very structured, facilitated questioning process to explore a bottleneck. Action learning is not management or skills training or an education. Paper 32 action learning action research and action.
Members could use the action learning sets internally, encouraging those not normally involved in diversity. An action learning set als is a group of people within a workplace that meet with the specific intention of solving workplace problems. Action learning facilitator training online the school for. In fact, the four were spread over a slightly longer period and the last was held in october 2008.
Over several months people working in a small group, tackle important organisational issues or problems and learn from their attempts to change things. Pdf this chapter describes the philosophy and approach of reginald revans 19072003, a uk scientist and educational innovator. We all recognise that emergencies happen but expect people to prioritise these meetings 2. Oct 03, 2014 when commissioners are considering using action learning to meet their professional development needs, i am sometimes asked what happens if it goes wrong. Here we set ground rules from the start of an action learning set, and as facilitators are able to manage and steer the progress of a set meeting to remain true to the action learning ethos. The theory of action learning and its epistemological position were originally developed by reg revans 1982, who applied the. Action learning sets have been used by civil and nongovernment organizations. Action learning sets als the programme originally envisaged four action learning sets to be completed by february 2008. 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. The voluntary participants in the group or set learn. Action learning sets in a nursing and midwifery practice. Current practicebased approaches to action learning focus only on face validity for action. This sample activity is just one of 12 contained in the action learning toolkit, published by owenstewart performance resources inc.
Thevirtual action learningguide 5 action you work on a live challenge. 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. Action learning is a learning and problemsolving technique often used in organisations. Describes an action learning approach to facilitating the implementation of a workplace. Action learning sets are a core element of the common ground initiative peer learning. An action learning programme involves the following key elements. A good balance of learning and fun, with great insight into what is important in a group. The opportunity to learn from good practice, develop new ideas and solutions. It is important that people agree not to divulge any details of what is discussed within the set unless it is expressly agreed between the groups. This is just one structure you can use and you will find that different models are appropriate for different groups. Action learning in the service of food security and poverty alleviation in mozambique.
This approach to the development of individuals does not focus on what people need to learn, but on solutions to real problems. Professor reg revans first introduced and coined the term action learning in the coal mines of wales and england in the 1940s. A guide to an action learning sets by als facilitator val theadom. As they do so they learn leadership, teamwork, facilitation and additional skills. Action learning sets are a simple and powerful way for individuals to learn from each other. In the context of a fastpaced working environment, professional learning should become. This paper will discuss the development of an action learning set within an acute mental health setting and will evaluate the experience of participants within the set. Usually, action learning is accomplished in action learning sets of five or six to provide a group size that promotes ease of communication. In most varieties, the participants work on real tasks in small teams learning sets. Action learning sets enable peergroup learning, development and support how to use action. What is the difference between how you see things now and how you would like them to be. Action learning a process which supports organisational change initiatives. An introduction and some methods introduction to action learning action learning is a development process. 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 is a highly social activity and process which takes time to be fully effective. At hfl, most of the 200 leadership programs developed over the last few years have contained an alp component. There needs to be a supportive learning culture, and structures and systems that give space for action learning sets to have an impact on practice. The findings support the hypothesis that a critically reflective practice of action learning can lead to improved decisionmaking, increased confidence and a willingness. Problem solving time which gives the opportunity for personal learning and development and insight into how others achieve different solutions. In the context of a fastpaced working environment, professional learning should become embedded as an integral part of the work routine grove 2014. To this end, the use of action learning sets supports practicebased, reflective learning to aid continuing professional development. Action learning sets involve regular, action focused peerdiscussion groups that address workplace issues. The typical action learning program can last between four to nine months. The school for social entrepreneurs action learning facilitator training programme will give you the skills to help bring powerful learning practices and problemsolving approaches to benefit individuals across corporate, public and third sector organisations. Action learning a process which supports organisational. Abstract this paper reflects on how action learning sets were used to support organisational change initiatives. Action learning is a powerful approach for working on dif. The groups that are formed in action learning are known as action learning sets.
Action learning is an experiential learning method in which participants learn by doing and then reflecting on what they have done. Action learning sets als are used widely for organisational and workforce development, including in nursing anderson and thorpe, 2004, pounder, 2009, young et al. This tool is especially geared to learning and personal development at the professional and managerial levels. 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. Chapter 3 examines the practice of interorganisational action learning. 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. Cho and egan 433 and the learning organization in 2002, until action learning. Action learning solves problems and develops leaders simultaneously because its simple. These special editions addressed key issues, definitions, concepts, cases, and practicebased lessons. 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. It helps organizations develop creative, flexible and successful strategies to pressing problems. Research and prac tice, the lead journal in the field, was published in 2004. Here is an example of a typical action learning model which you can use when running an action learning set.
The author argues that the successes and failures of dday, on both sides. Aurora team, november 20 action learning questions asking questions puts you in danger of finding out what you need to know. Action learning benefits individuals, teams, and organizations. Suggest the group to consider both positive and negative experiences.
It sets the scene with contextualising the inclusion of change projects in a masters programme. Action learning is a style of learning which leads to very practical knowledge and. Benefits of action learning on individuals, teams, and. 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. This paper presents the idea of action learning as a learning by doing. Increase awareness and enable individuals to identify personal. Action learning sets have a facilitator whose problem is to help the set develop, to facilitate the supporting and challenging process and to help members to reflect on their learning. It involves taking action and reflecting upon the results. 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.
Four steps to implementing action learning in your aec. So the action learning set provides a place where members may be challenged by other set members and questioned, prompted and provoked regarding their own thinking, feelings and behaviour. A guide to an action learning sets by als facilitator val theadom 1 what does action learning offer. The 7 most important rules for successful action learning. Developing the individuals knowledge base and skill sets are just as essential as arriving at the solution to the scenario or problem. Make progress on a change leadership challenge you face reflect and develop selfawareness as a change leader. Of course it takes a good level of trust for this to occur, and establishing such trust is a critical part of the psychological contract or agreement which.
Our broader contribution is to frame action learning and critical action learning not only as separate approaches, but also as potentially interlinked stages in an ongoing process of individual and organizational learning. This is examined in relation to action learning theory and the rationale for crossorganisational learning in the global. Action learning sets are a structured method enabling small groups to. What an action learning set is and how to carry one out what the research says about using als in nursing experiences of using this approach in the workplace allocating time for onetoone meetings for clinical supervision may be difficult to maintain. For individuals, action learning is a behavioral coaching methodology that applies the same 4 steps.
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. Action learning set and personal development argumentative. 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. Some of us believe that facilitation should be used primarily at the start of an action learning. They are run in different ways, and the benefits differ according to the purpose of the set and the level of people involved. Since action learning sets are about learning from experiences, episodes.
Pdf how to use action learning sets to support nurses. An exploratory evaluation of an action learning set within. Action learning sets are primarily focused on the individuals learning. This can be useful for an assessm ent of the results obtained. A guide to setting up an action learning programme rapidbi. What is the difference between how you see things now and how you would like. Action learning will help close the loop and ensure our learning is as effective as possible more about learning cycles in module one. The facilitator must create a place where the learning for each individual can be maximised. A practical example key words workplace learning, action learning, learning organisation.
Action learning sets are particularly appropriate for professional and manageriallevel learning and personal development work. Exploring the challenges of system leadership in the voluntary and community sector. In revans interpretation, the purpose of action learning is not just to promote local action and learning, but to bring about organizational change. 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. This action learning presentation is an excellent place to start to help people understand what action learning is and how it works. Sarah king, human resources, jobcentre plus a concise yet concentrated guide to action learning sets which made optimum learning use of all the sessions. Although limitations have been reported in some studies, the majority of studies report positive outcomes to this process of learning. Will the proposed set attract sufficient support from the organisation.
Pioneered by professor reg revans and developed worldwide since the late 1940s, it provides a welltried method of accelerating learning which enables people to handle complex issues more effectively. How to use action learning sets to support nurses article pdf available in nursing times 1081819. You are welcome to use this material in your training programs. For organisations to really feel the benefit of action learning, there needs to be the will to support participation in sets and respect for their outcomes. Since action learning sets are about learning from experiences, episodes where some errors were encounte useful as the ones where everything worked fine. Action learning sets a brief introduction what is action learning. Action learning sets action learning sets are a structured method enabling small groups to address complicated issues by meeting regularly and working collectively. The following resources capture the unique theories, especially behind the ps and qs of revans core theory behind action learning. The many faces of action learning university of plymouth. Put simply, it is about solving problems and getting things done. The action learning toolkit written by mike pedler thank you for downloading this sample activity.
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. Action learning sets consist of a peer group generally learning environment. Learning sets are one of a range of personal development tools which can be used to learn new ways of working, share experiences. A guide to setting up and facilitating an action learning programme. What is action learning ngo learning learning centre. Using action learning sets allows problems to be looked at from different angles, with set members leading an individual to consider the issue more dynamically and on a broader basis. The trainers are very motivating and knowledgeable a credit to the learning community.
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. The nature of the organisational problems for investigation under an action learning programme is defined and the constitution and general principles of an action learning set are introduced. Action learning is a process that involves a small group working on real problems, taking action, and learning as individuals, as a team, and as an organization. Creating a safe environment for real issues to be aired. Overview action learning sets consist of a peer group generally learning environment. Abstract leaders of organisations are seeking new ways of developing capacities in their organisations to learn and relearn. The action learning framework touches on so many aspects of personal, professional and organizational development, that a list of related theories would produce a very extensive list. Dec 18, 2014 action learning is a highly social activity and process which takes time to be fully effective. Such leaders tend to seek out visible and active ways to contribute to realtime. Assessment of the literature will provide insight on how action learning is being framed in scholarly works, in human subjects research. Shurville and rospigliosi 2009 have explored using virtual action learning to promote selfmanagement by the team. Action learning questions asking questions puts you in danger of finding out what you need to know.
Action learning involves working on real problems, focusing on learning and actually implementing solutions. Action learning sets for occupational therapy occupational therapy personnel, especially those newly qualified, value the opportunity to reflect and learn from experience with their peers rcot membership survey 2016. 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. Action learning sets are particularly appropriate for profes. An action learning set within the specific client organization of the company was then activated to determine solution options. Guide for action learning sets 2 action learning goals the ultimate goal of action learning is to help change leaders become more wise and effective by practicing leadership actions and behaviors. Action learning benefits and drawbacks action learning. 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. Action learning facilitator training online the school.