Learning Circles:
A learning circles is a highly interactive, participatory structure for organizing group work. The goal is to build, share, and express knowledge through a process of open dialogue and deep reflection around issues or problems with a focus on a shared outcome.
The learning circle is a mechanism for organizing and honoring the collective wisdom of the group - whether that is through sharing practices, creating new ideas or seeking out answers to questions. The principles of equal participation, reciprocity, and honoring of this collective wisdom are the foundation for a meaningful learning circle. Both listening and speaking skills must be used fully to allow all members to have this equal engagement.
A key goal of learning circles is to learn together about why things operate the way they do, opening up to new ideas, and thinking about the implications of these ideas for the organization’s work. Everyone should be encouraged to develop a strong sense of ownership over the process and products of the group. The learning circle is a structure that facilitates learning in nontraditional ways. Some common characteristics of a learning circle include:
•It does not rely on expert voice
•Learning happens in a variety of ways
•It expands focus from internal to external
•It produces new knowledge that is owned by those who are engaged
•It creates a safe space for problem solving
Steps for the convener:
•Create safe environment - we are all here to learn from each other and share with each other; there are no silly questions. This is your time to get information on a topic that has value for you. How you participate will affect what you get from it.
•Convener needs to make sure that everyone has an equal voice; Asks groups permission up-front if you can ask people to sum up their idea so that others can have time to share/ask questions as well.
•Someone needs to be the recorder for the group - this could be the Convener.
•Share guidelines with the participants:
- Respect oneself, others and the process of building shared meaning and knowledge
- Suspend judgment
- Recognize the values of contribution. Individuals have differing strengths in their ability to communicate.
- Speak for yourself truthfully
- Listen to your own listening/let go of your certainties
•This time is not just for sharing of what people are doing; also encourage people to brainstorm on ideas and discuss “what ifs”.
•Try and stay away from having the participants go into a “bragging” session about all the wonderful things they are doing; this is a time for everyone to open up their minds for possibilities and to seek out ways to approach the issues.
•Everyone has an opportunity to speak by going around the ‘circle’. You may pass when it comes to your turn and speak when it becomes your turn again. The rules of the learning circle is that you never interrupt or talk out of turn. It is meant to continue to build on what others in the group have said before you.