Action Learning
Learning through active participation is the core to this powerful concept that never fails to be innovative, effective and inspirational.
Questioning, combined with the continual cycle of diagnose-plan-do-reflect ensures that Action Learners are empowered for life - these are the steps to success.
Why and What is Action Learning?
Action Learning has the unique, inherent capability of being applied to five of the most important challenges facing organizations today namely: problem solving, organizational learning, teambuilding, leadership development, professional growth and career development.Action Learning
It is a learning process, in modular programme format, that involves a small group of people solving real time problems or challenges in real situations, simultaneously focusing on what they are learning and how their learning can benefit each group member and their representative organizations. Simply put, Action Learning is Real Time, Real Life, Project Based and seriously Unconventional – No exams, just Action!
Benefits of Action Learning
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High return on investment based on clear cost benefit analyses of |
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programmes |
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Shared learning throughout various levels of the organization. |
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A method of conducting research & Development activities with |
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immediate and direct relevance to organization. |
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Greater self-awareness and self-confidence due to new insights and feedback. |
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Ability to ask better reflective questions, leading to enhanced creativity and |
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problem-solving ability. |
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Improved communications and teamwork |
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Flexibility of learning – minimal disruption to job schedule, etc |
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Action Learning Groups
Action Learning is: Learning together. Small sets or groups of “ comrades in adversity” get to know each other and within the social structure of the group learning takes place as people are busy with each other’s problems.
Tutors no longer lecture but participate in the tackling of new problems, facilitating the reorganisation of thoughts and the search for the right questions. The set is the personal network of each member.
Action Learning Projects
The problems solved by each set are relevant to each member’s organisation. It is all about taking managerial responsibility for action in ones own organisation. The results will be useful for the organisation. If the interests of the organisation are taken care of, the interests of the student automatically follow.
Projects are meaningful if they involve the risk of failure. Both students and organisations must be willing to take risks. Fast learning is a product of making mistakes, and a certain tolerance of mistakes by the student’s organisation is required, furthermore, the student should be empowered to carry out the project independently.
Student & Organisation
Both student and the organisation bear the responsibility for carrying out the project thus the organisation must be willing to protect their participating manager from anything that could frustrate the outcome of the project. This frees the manager of fear of retribution should an error be made. Trial and error is very necessary to the success of a project.
Finally, the Action Learning MBA involves thinking about what you are doing, not just being busy doing it.
Reflection in action: In small groups one can learn to think about results, develop new ideas, take action, test ideas, rethink.
Learn to think about what one is doing and learn to learn.
