How to Build a Great Learning Community

1. How to Build a Great Learning Community

2. 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

3. Introductions Road Map • Introduction to LC Models • What does it take to make a great LC? • Building a culture of trust • The Austin 2014 LC Best Practices

4. Introductions

5. Introductions I. Intro to LC Models

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

7. Introductions Etienne Wenger: “Communities of Practice” 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. 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

8. Introductions “Learning Collaboratives” 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

9. Introductions “Peer Learning Circles” 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

10. Introductions Kania & Kramer: “Collective Impact” 5 conditions lead to meaningful results: • Common Agenda • Shared Measurement • Mutually Reinforcing Activities • Continuous Communication • Backbone Organization

11. Introductions Mitchell & Sackner“Learning Community” A learning community recognizes, values, and supports the learning of all members. • Shared Vision • Collaborative • Reflective practice • Data-driven improvement • Distributed leadership • Trust & respect

12. Introductions II. What does it take?

13. Introductions Activity – Part I Get into groups of 3. Select a timekeeper. 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. Share your stories with the group – 3 minutes per person.

14. Introductions Activity – Part II 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? As a group, identify your top 3 practices of a successful LC. 15 minutes total

15. Introductions Building a Culture of Trust • What can you do as a facilitator to build trust? • General practices • Specific exercises

16. Austin 2014 Tips for Building a Great Learning Community