How to Build a Great Learning Community

Our Objectives for Today

• Introduce LCs models• Understand how LC can

strengthen outcomes• Identify key characteristics of

successful LCs• Develop a set of LC best

practices

Introductions

I. Introduction to LC ModelsII. What does it take to make a great LC?III. Building a culture of trustIV. The Austin 2014 LC Best Practices

Road Map

Introductions

IntroductionsI. Intro to LC Models

Introductions

Community is - • a gift not a goal• contemplative• connected (but not intimate)• rife with hardship• a pocket of possibility• led (not spontaneous)This work will break our hearts - - into larger, more generous forms.

Parker Palmer: “Community”Leadership for community consists in creating, holding, and guarding a trustworthy space in which human resourcefulness may be evoked.

Introductions

COPS are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.

Etienne Wenger: “Communities of Practice”

3 Key Elements of COPs

1) The domain: members are brought together by a shared learning

2) The community: their collective learning becomes a bond among them over time

3) The practice: their interactions produce resources that affect their practice

Introductions

Learning Collaboratives developed in therapeutic environments to focus the adoption of best practices in diverse service settings.

• Interactive, skill-focused learning

• Taps collective experience• Local adaptation• Multi-modal and ongoing• Shared learning• Organizational give and take

“Learning Collaboratives”

Introductions

PLCs are comprised of 5-7 members who are committed to helping each other enhance their leadership skills.

Adults learn best when they:• act on new knowledge and

insight in the real world, • reflect on their actions and

learning, • exchange ongoing feedback

in a safe setting with peers

“Peer Learning Circles”

Introductions

5 conditions lead to meaningful results:1. Common Agenda2. Shared Measurement 3. Mutually Reinforcing

Activities4. Continuous Communication 5. Backbone Organization

Kania & Kramer: “Collective Impact”

Introductions

A learning community recognizes, values, and supports the learning of all members.

• Shared Vision• Collaborative• Reflective practice• Data-driven

improvement• Distributed leadership• Trust & respect

Mitchell & Sackner“Learning Community”

IntroductionsII. What does it take?

IntroductionsActivity – Part I

1. Get into groups of 3. 2. Select a timekeeper.3. Reflection (3 mins): In your head, think

back to a time when you were part of a LC that was working really well. Think of a particular story or incident that illustrates the positive features of this group.

4. Share your stories with the group – 3 minutes per person.

IntroductionsActivity – Part II

1. As a group, talk about what it was that made your great LCs a success. What starting assumptions, practices, norms or leadership styles were in place?

2. As a group, identify your top 3 practices of a successful LC.

15 minutes total

IntroductionsBuilding a Culture of Trust

What can you do as a facilitator to build trust?

• General practices• Specific exercises

Austin 2014 Tips for Building a

Great Learning Community