More background information on action learning
Independent evaluation of Leadership Facilitation Skills programme
Between 2008 and 2011 Action Learning Associates ran a highly successful training programme (funded by the Cultural Leadership Programme) which has shaken up the leadership style within the UK’s creative and cultural sector by introducing the concept of facilitative leadership. Professor Mike Pedler – author and leading authority on action learning and leadership - carried out a full independent evaluation of the effects of the programme on leadership style within the sector.
Most participants on the Leadership Facilitation Skills programme thought that learning to facilitate action learning had helped them to become more effective leaders. Professor Pedler believes his research supports the thesis that learning to facilitate action learning increases a person’s effectiveness as a leader. For many of these participants the Leadership Facilitation Skills programme allowed them to see and understand themselves as leaders for the first time.
Download the research reportLeadership and learning in the arts
Bligh, Di, Chacksfield, Clare and Sapsed, Ruth (2009) 'Leadership and learning in the arts', Action Learning: Research and Practice, 6: 3, 343 - 348 an account of practice by Senior Associate, Di Bligh, in a special issue of the journal which examined the use of action learning with SMEs.
Co-written by Clare Chacksfield of Eastfeast and Ruth Sapsed of Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination this article gives an in depth insight into the experiences of these two heads of small SMEs in the east of England who took part in the CLP funded Leadership Facilitation Skills programme.
Their reflections include their initial perceptions on the impact of action learning ideas on their leadership, considerations of how they might continue to develop as leaders and how they might use action learning in the future development of their companies.
Download the articleAction learning – an expanding market in the economic downturn
Exploring why real action learning is in such increasing demand in the current economic climate was the theme of Ruth Cook’s workshop at the IAF Europe Conference (18 to 20 September 2009) in Oxford, UK. Entitled “Real action learning: an expanding market” Ruth explored the significant growth in action learning in recent years – reflected by the growth of her own company.
Demonstrating how action learning offers value for money and complements a wide range of organisational development interventions, Ruth’s workshop also looked at the ingredients for delivering a high quality product as well as recent developments such as accreditation and virtual action learning.
Download Ruth’s presentation here
Action learning in a virtual world
Action learning in a virtual world – an article by Joan Keevil, director of Designs on Learning, a leadership and elearning consultancy, and visiting tutor at Henley Business School as published on Training Zone
Learning Resources
CIPD factsheet updated
CIPD ( the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) has recently updated its factsheet on action learning which:
- looks at what action learning is and how learning takes place
- indicates where action learning may be used
- examines how action learning set meetings operate
- considers how to ensure that action learning works well
- includes the CIPD viewpoint on action learning
The CIPD factsheet includes useful case studies and a link to the CIPD Learning & Development Survey for 2009. CIPD concludes that experiential and social learning of this sort has value for both individuals and organisations in increasing the capacity to carry out a wider range of real work more effectively and increasing the capacity to learn.
You can link to the factsheet here.
Journals
Action Learning: Research & Practice
A journal dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and practice through action learning.
Articles
Action Learning Matters
A resource pack on action learning, NACVS 2004
‘Action Learning’ – an introduction
VAN Briefing No. 50 September 2000
Real Problems in Real Life
Ian McGill and Liz Beaty, Management Skills & Development magazine September 1996
Bibliography
DIY Handbook for Action Learners
Dr Mandy Chivers A simple, practical guide for those who want to use action learning
"What has action learning learned to become?"
Action Learning: Research & Practice, 2 (i) pp 49-68
Action Learning: A Journey in Discovery and Development
by Krystyna Weinstein, 1995
Publisher Harper Collins Publishers Ltd
Amazon ISBN 000638224X
Action Learning: A Practical Guide (2nd edition)
by Krystyna Weinstein, 1999
Publisher Aldershot: Gower ISBN 978-0566080975
Action Learning: A Practitioner's Guide
by Liz Beaty, Ian McGill (revised Ed edition 2001)
Publisher Routledge ISBN 978-074943533
Action Learning for Managers
by Mike Pedler, 2008 (2nd edition)
Publisher Gower ISBN 978-0566088636
Action Learning in Practice (3rd edition)
by Mike Pedler (Ed), 1997
Publisher Aldershot: Gower ISBN 978-0566077951
Learning with Colleagues: An Action Guide for Peer Consultation
by Erik de Haan, 2004
Publisher Palgrave Macmillan ISBN 1403942870
Making Questions Work: A Guide to how and what to ask for Facilitators, Consultants, Managers, Coaches, and Educators
by Dorothy Strachan, 2006
Publisher Jossey-Bass ISBN 978-0787987275
The ABC of Action Learning
by Reginald W Revans, 1983, 3rd edition 1998
Publisher Lemos & Crane ISBN 1898001421
The Action Learning Handbook: Powerful Techniques for Education
by Ian McGill, Anne Brockbank, 2004
Publisher Routledge
Google ISBN 0415335116
The Fifth Discipline
by Peter M Senge, 1999
Publisher Doubleday/Currency
Google ISBN 0385260954
The Origins and Growth of Action Learning
by Reginald W Revans, 1982
Publisher Bromley, Kent, Chartwell-Bratt
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/eb003898
The Reflective Practitioner
by Donald Schön, 1983 reprinted 1995
Publisher Basic Books, USA
Google ISBN 1857423194