What are Learning Loops?
Learning Loops are a setting in which volunteer managers are empowered to identify their learning needs and learn to manage how these needs are met, supported by a learning advisor and supportive peers.
Objectives
Participation in learning loops will enable volunteer managers to:
- Develop the skills and awareness necessary to take control of their own learning
- Better identify their own learning and development needs and how to meet them
- Get the best out of any learning and training opportunities they participate in
- Manage the learning of others more effectively
- Network and build partnerships with your peers across the voluntary, statutory and corporate sectors
What are they like?
1. Learning loops are a management development technique
2. They address real professional development issues
3. Learning loops respond to the needs of participants both in terms of content, structure and style
4. The learning advisor adopts a range of intervention styles, including non-intervention, as appropriate
5. Individuals work on issues with the support of others
6. Participants develop skills in asking insightful questions to enable learning
7. There are no correct ‘answers’ – individuals come to their own conclusions
8. Individuals commit to action between meetings
9. Participants experience a range of learning techniques, and reflect on their helpfulness.
There is a focus on learning from:
- Action taken – reflecting on outcomes, reviewing actions taken and trying new behaviours and attitudes
- Group Processes
- Individual contribution to others’ learning
How do they work?
Structure will depend on the needs of the participants. We are not looking for a ‘one size fits all’ approach. The starting point will be to share expectations about what and ideas about how? The advisor has a responsibility to introduce a range of learning methods and techniques, to develop participants’ understanding about learning both for themselves and others. Some possible approaches: Issue or topic based sessions, drawing on experience of participants and the learning advisor Action learning model, work on one person’s issue at a time (would need to be satisfied that learning needs of all participants would be met) Exploration of learning styles and learning methods Experiential learning to develop skills Presentations by group members or guest invited to join the group This is a learning process for all of us. We would expect learning advisors to draw on their skills and past experience to help shape the learning loops.
What is the status of Learning Loops today?
Learning Loops were run in 2006-07 in the following locations, but none are running currently:
- Bolton
- Leicester
- London
- Swindon
- Warrington
- York
What will happen next?
An online Learning Loop toolkit was developed to help organisations run a Learning Loop.
We are very interested in hearing from Volunteer Centres, other local volunteering infrastructure bodies, and volunteer-involving organisations who would like to make use of the toolkit and start new Loops.
