Action Learning Guild

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Comment by Katie Burgess on April 2, 2011 at 15:03

Hi, James,

 

I saw your message and your request for responses.  Right now I am absolutely overloaded with other commitments which I have prioritised  but I am grateful for your thinking and planning and will keep an eye on what is happenning in case I am able to attend.  I am still struggling for a thesis topic so need every opportunity for exchange of ideas I can get!  I'm sorry I haven't responded or been able to particpate.

 

Katie.

Comment by Ruth Robinson on April 1, 2011 at 10:58

Hi in response to your research, the thing that's in the way of me getting to your AlGs /peer support meetings is childcare really.  I live in SE23 so it 'd be easier for me to do a daytime thing if that's ever possible...?

Thanks for looking into this, it's important (and I don't have a guild yet either!)

Ruth

 

Comment by james on December 30, 2010 at 13:08

From the Permaculture Association's Guidebook to the Dipolma in Applied Permaculture Design (p.16):

Peer Support Guilds

We recommend that you form support groups with other Diploma apprentices.  We call these Peer Support Guilds.  These can either be:

• Action Learning Guilds - these are specifically focused on supporting you to keep 'on track' with your self-managed learning process.  To run an 'Action Learning Guild' you need to meet on a regular basis and use the Action Learning, 'Four Questions' to structure your reflection and peer support.

• Design Support Guild -  this is where you use peer support to look at the content of your designs and gain peer support on this.

• Combination of Action Learning and Design Support:  As a group you would allocate time to both activities, either at separate meetings or within the same meetings.

Action Learning Guilds

 

Structuring your Action Learning Guild

A recommended size for an Action Learning Guild is three or four people, who will meet on a regular basis, to support each other’s learning. Some meet once a month or every six weeks, to keep up the momentum of a continuous learning and reflection process.  A meeting can be based on the Four Questions, but other methods and content get covered too… whatever the individuals in the group needs. These can be plotted into the calendar of your Learning Pathway.

Establishing a committed peer group can be very supportive as the Diploma is 'self-directed learning', you are relying on your own resources to keep yourself on track.  Also local peer support guilds can help to build strength and sustainability into the community of people interested in permaculture in your local area.

Sometimes Action Learning Guilds change their members, especially if people cannot commit to the time it needs, or if someone moves away from an area. Some groups suggest it is good to decide a period of time to meet over, say,  six months and then review how it is going, to allow members to change without too much
pressure.

Temporary Action Learning Guilds can be set up, such as at an Induction event (in which case it might lead to a regular meeting of this group) or another Diploma meeting, a Convergence etc. The power of this is that diversity is engaged, and people often get a real boost from meeting other people. 

Comment by james on February 5, 2010 at 10:22

MESSAGE SENT OUT on 5th JAN 2010 RE: NEXT ALG

Hi All,

Not wanting to lose momentum - I thought it would be good to arrange Action Learning Guild opportunit(y/ies).

Some of us had previously expressed an interest in using the space at Passing Clouds in Dalston prior to the monthly Permaculture Picture House there. I have some reservations about that personally, but I've tried to lay out a balanced sense of that idea below:

THE PROPOSED PLAN
The ALG happens at in the downstairs room at Passing Clouds, Dalston 6.30-8.00pm before the Picturehouse movie starts.

PLUSES
Stacks Functions. Easy to remember when it is. Decreases people's timetabling issues. Easy to incorporate others. Builds on the connections that PPH is making. Increases chance of a good number of particpants. Free use of space? Well located for those in East London.

MINUSES
Poor record of getting the space open on time (for 7pm). The Date/time might not suit all interested in particpating. Lack of comfort in the space. Likely disturbance during session (people bringing in bikes etc.). Not free use of space? Not well located for those outside East London.

INTERESTING
Allows drop in of new guild members. Creates new outputs from Permaculture Picture House. Develops new activities at Passing Clouds.

So do other have any thoughts? Even if we were to use this space it certainly wouldn't preclude having meetings elsewhere at other times also. I'm happy to host some at mine.

James

Comment by Hannah Thorogood on February 2, 2010 at 15:18

Sounds great Graham - great opportunity for shared learning. Hope it all goes well,

Hannah

Comment by Graham Burnett on February 1, 2010 at 12:31

I'm planning to run a Design Support Tutorial day for people working towards their Permaculture diplomas on either March 6 or 7th, depending which is the most suitable for people. This will be an opportunity for Diploma students to have their permaculture design projects assessed and evaluated in detail as well as receive peer feedback from others on the same pathway. It will also be an opportunity for Action Learning Guild sessions to take place, or for people to form guilds if they have not yet done so, plus question and answer sessions around the diploma, as well as a chance to socialise and network in general. Spaces will be strictly limited to no more than 6 people. Proposed cost £50 per person plus a contribution to a shared vegetarian lunch. The venue is not yet set, although there are a couple of possibles in the London area. If you'd like to book a place please register your interest here or contact me directly, cheers Graham

Comment by Graham Burnett on January 25, 2010 at 18:51

I'd be interested in supporting the diploma by setting up some Design Support Tutorial days, maybe these could also 'stack in' some guilding functions?