This document is intended as a starting point only. 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. Abstract leaders of organisations are seeking new ways of developing capacities in their organisations to learn and relearn. Action learning helps individuals enhance personal effectiveness and productivity reflect on and learn from individual experience enhance personal leadership and soft skills develop selfconfidence and assertiveness improve awareness of how assumptions, beliefs, attitudes and organizational interests influence thinking, decisions and actions. Pdf how to use action learning sets to support nurses. Action learning a process which supports organisational change initiatives. Action learning sets also had a positive impact on the development of leadership knowledge and skills and are highly valued by participants. The evidence for the effectiveness of action learning. 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 reflect on their learning. 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.
Although limitations have been reported in some studies, the majority of studies report positive outcomes to this process of learning. Over several months people working in a small group, tackle important organisational issues or problems and learn from their attempts to change things. 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. Current practicebased approaches to action learning focus only on face validity for action. Leadership development through action learning sets. Action learning is a learning and problemsolving technique often used in organisations. 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 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. Action learning set definition of action learning set by. Action learning is not management or skills training or an education. Action learning sets are particularly appropriate for profes. Action learning sets a brief introduction what is action learning. Mentoring regular, confidential onetoone sessions over a period of time with someone who usually is more experienced. Action learning in a nutshell itap international, inc. At mc, we use a range of action learning techniques to help learning stick. Suggest the group to consider both positive and negative experiences. But there are techniques where the stickiness is built in. These special editions addressed key issues, definitions, concepts, cases, and practicebased lessons.
Action learning sets action learning sets are a structured method enabling small groups to address complicated issues by meeting regularly and working collectively. An exploratory evaluation of an action learning set within. The author argues that the successes and failures of dday, on both sides. An introduction and some methods introduction to action learning action learning is a development process. The facilitator must create a place where the learning for each individual can be maximised. Participants are learning all the time whatever their role in the set. Action learning sets are particularly appropriate for professional and manageriallevel learning and personal development work.
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. A practical example key words workplace learning, action learning, learning organisation. Cho and egan 433 and the learning organization in 2002, until action learning. The trainers are very motivating and knowledgeable a credit to the learning community. It sets the scene with contextualising the inclusion of change projects in a masters programme. A good balance of learning and fun, with great insight into what is important in a group.
Developing the individuals knowledge base and skill sets are just as essential as arriving at the solution to the scenario or problem. For the past 50 years, organizations and individuals around the world have reported success in their use of action learning programs to solve problems, develop leaders, build teams and transform their corporate cultures. Action learning is a powerful approach for working on dif. 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. 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. 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. Will the proposed set attract sufficient support from the organisation. An action learning set needs to be run by someone with strong facilitation skills, particularly in the early stages. 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. In most varieties, the participants work on real tasks in small teams learning sets. Some of us believe that facilitation should be used primarily at the start of an action learning. 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. Action learning sets are a tool to support the development of skills and knowledge by exploring solutions to real challenges and issues faced. 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. Benefits of action learning on individuals, teams, and.
An action learning set als is a group of people within a workplace that meet with the specific intention of solving workplace problems. This tool is especially geared to learning and personal development at the professional and managerial levels. Action learning introduction by reg revans youtube. What is the difference between how you see things now and how you would like. Abstract this paper reflects on how action learning sets were used to support organisational change initiatives. By closing this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Simply put, the action learning set approach provides a structured way of working in small groups which can provide the discipline we often need to help us learn. 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. The groups that are formed in action learning are known as action learning sets. Research and prac tice, the lead journal in the field, was published in 2004. Action learning sets involve regular, action focused peerdiscussion groups that address workplace issues.
How to use action learning sets to support nurses article pdf available in nursing times 1081819. The typical action learning program can last between four to nine months. An action learning set within the specific client organization of the company was then activated to determine solution options. Action learning sets have been used by civil and nongovernment organizations. Action learning sets in a nursing and midwifery practice. Action learning sets are a structured method enabling small groups to. A guide to setting up an action learning programme rapidbi. Professor reg revans explains the philosophy, origins and applications of action learning in archive footage from 1984. Increase awareness and enable individuals to identify personal. Set members support each other to come to a decision about the way forward with collective challenges. Members could use the action learning sets internally, encouraging those not normally involved in diversity. Thevirtual action learningguide 5 action you work on a live challenge.
This action learning presentation is an excellent place to start to help people understand what action learning is and how it works. Action learning sets als are used widely for organisational and workforce development, including in nursing anderson and thorpe, 2004, pounder, 2009, young et al. 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. Over the years, the theory and practice of action learning.
The many faces of action learning university of plymouth. Action learning sets are a core element of the common ground initiative peer learning. Action learning is an experiential learning method in which participants learn by doing and then reflecting on what they have done. The contract should aim to clarify set members expectations of the meeting and outline an agreed set of ground rules. 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 approach to the development of individuals does not focus on what people need to learn, but on solutions to real problems. Action learning is a highly social activity and process which takes time to be fully effective. Sarah king, human resources, jobcentre plus a concise yet concentrated guide to action learning sets which made optimum learning use of all the sessions.
Action learning a process which supports organisational. Action learning set contract between set members this brief document aims to form the basis of a contract between set members. Reg revans developed action learning in the 1940s at the national coal board. Action learning benefits and drawbacks action learning. In previous editions of tj, i have described the constructs behind the model for action learning facilitation1. Shurville and rospigliosi 2009 have explored using virtual action learning to promote selfmanagement by the team. Usually, action learning is accomplished in action learning sets of five or six to provide a group size that promotes ease of communication. Learning sets are one of a range of personal development tools which can be used to learn new ways of working, share experiences. Facilitating an action learning set the need for a facilitator. A mature group may successfully selffacilitate, by rotating the role. This paper presents the idea of action learning as a learning by doing. Action learning benefits individuals, teams, and organizations.
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. Describes an action learning approach to facilitating the implementation of a workplace. Pdf this chapter describes the philosophy and approach of reginald revans 19072003, a uk scientist and educational innovator. However, very little rigorous research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of action learning. This article focuses on a specific way of doing this action learning sets. It is likely that they would be sustainable as the majority would recommend action learning to colleagues and would consider taking another module. Aurora team, november 20 action learning questions asking questions puts you in danger of finding out what you need to know. Action learning uses a very structured, facilitated questioning process to explore a bottleneck. To learn about our use of cookies and how you can manage your cookie settings, please see our cookie policy.
The voluntary participants in the group or set learn. Structure your set around each members work on their challenge. The purpose of the set is to support the learning of the members. Action learning sets taking action is crucial and the only real learning comes from doing something and then reflecting on the outcome.
Set members support and challenge one another to think and to take action outside the box. Action learning facilitator training courses action. Action learning sets are a simple and powerful way for individuals to learn from each other. This months contribution seeks to create a balanced perspective on the role of the facilitator, aligned with the original thinking of reg revans, suggesting that the specific skills of working as a learning set adviser are just as important as the modes of being a mobiliser.