Accreditation – what’s involved?
If you attend an ALA action learning facilitator training course – either in-house or one of our open courses - you can choose to gain accreditation through the ILM approved Professional Development Programme in Action Learning Facilitation. ILM also offers free studying membership for one year to all those registered on the programme.
Producing a reflective learning log
The key element of the accreditation process is to produce a personal Reflective Learning Log. The log is based on your learning during the course as well as how you apply this learning in practice. The log allows you to capture key events and observations as they happen - a record of your feelings, impressions and intuitive responses.
You can produce your log in any electronic format – anything goes from PowerPoint to graphics, audio to video or simply print –be creative and record your learning in the format that’s best for you. The key thing is to keep the log up-to-date as the programme progresses and not be tempted to simply write it up at the end of the process.
Many accredited action learning facilitators have found producing a log has been an essential part of their learning and an extremely useful tool in their development as a reflective practitioner.
“The process of writing a reflective learning log was an important addition to the training programme. The practice of critical reflection is another valuable skill to learn and complements the range of tools required for action learning. The discipline of recording one’s learning from the training programme allows the opportunity to reflect and also to develop one’s future practice, thus encouraging a truly effective cycle of learning”
Katherine Dimsdale, Events and Services Officer, Arts Marketing Association
Completing the accreditation
You can choose how long you need to produce and submit your log but we normally recommend completing the accreditation programme around three to six months (ideally no more than one year) after the training. We will agree with you a date for submitting your Reflective Learning Log and for attending an additional development day to complete the accreditation process.
We run at least four development days a year so there are plenty of dates to choose from. For in-house programmes we offer on site development days for larger groups, or individuals can attend our open development days in London.
“What I found useful about writing a Reflective Learning Log was that the process ensured I did what the name says I should do: reflect on my learning… nor would I probably have realised how much of a journey it is to become an experienced action learning facilitator!”
Anita Van Mil, Hopkins Van Mil
A creative approach to one person’s learning journey as captured in her reflective learning log
Ruth Sapsed, Director, Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination gained accreditation on a Leadership Facilitation Skills course funded by the Cultural Leadership Programme.
