Plenary session : Knowledge sharing and learning

1. Plenary session:Knowledge sharing and learning Building Block session: Producing learning resources, training materials

2. What is the unique value proposition of this building block / Why do we need this for our CRPs? • Capacity development is one of the cross-cutting functions of the SRF • Each CRP proposal contains a section on capacity development • Learning resources are needed to support the strengthening of partners’ capacity in CRPs • However, the is no consistency in the CD approach across the CRPs • Only a few research studies have been conducted so far – the Training Study of the CGIAR dates back to 2006 • The former Science Council commissioned a background paper in 2007 to the 2008 World Development Report of the World Bank that dealt with skills development / CD Building block: Knowledge commons

3. Who is already doing some work around this, how, with what success? • Centers / CRPs continue to produce learning resources • CRP 6 logframe includes the development of a number of technical documentation and learning resources • In September 2012, the Consortium established a working group on CD (under the leadership of AfricaRice)“to identify where there is a benefit to collective action and if appropriate establish across CRP network of leaders in capacity building in a similar manner to the gender network.” • CGIAR still maintains a central LMS / repository for learning resources at learning.cgiar.org – consider renewing the membership with ARIADNE at the Catholic University Leuven (KUL) to upgrade the system and get technical support as needed Building block: Knowledge commons

4. What are principles/critical success factors/interventions/actions needed to take advantage of this BB? • Focus on user / learner task (“whole task” to develop technical documentation and corresponding learning resources – to avoid the often rather academic nature of the resources • Use established / tested instructional design models • Adapt international standards to ensure quality learning resources • Develop modular content for technical documentation and learning resources to re-use / re-package the material – integrated with established publishing workflow • Link up with the CD community in the KM community • Ensure CD / learning resources are strictly linked to the impact pathway • Ensure that CD / learning resources (“field testing”) is integrated with M&E • Conduct more research on CD • Establish a pilot to demonstrate the use modular content across technical documentation and learning resources, e.g., e.g., ecosystem services (with WLE) Building block: Knowledge commons

5. Optional What were main discussion points? • Integrating the development of technical documentation and learning resources • Focusing on user / learner tasks in preparing these materials • Adopting a modular approach to use / re-use topics, that is, concepts, facts, processes, procedures, principles • Much of the work is focused on partnerships Building block: Knowledge commons

6. Optional What gaps remain and what will be done about it? • Promoting a learning design workflow • Engaging in more research on CD • Working on process documentation and embedding this in M&E • Joining writers, editors, artists, etc. together to repackage efforts • Review CD approaches across CRPs and find ways to re-align them • Engage in a pilot to demonstrate the use of open standards for re-using content in repacking materials, e.g., ecosystem services(with WLE) Building block: Knowledge commons