Action learning

Action learning is an educational process whereby the participant studies their own actions and experience in order to improve performance. This is done in conjunction with others, in small groups called action learning sets. It is proposed as particularly suitable for adults, as it enables each person to reflect on and review the action they have taken and the learning points arising. This should then guide future action and improve performance.

The method stands in contrast with the traditional teaching methods that focus on the presentation of knowledge and skills. Action learning focuses on research into action taken and knowledge emerges as a result that should lead to the improvement of skills and performance. It has strong links to various philosophies relating to existentialism, the psychology of self-understanding and self-development, and the sociology of group based learning.

Professor Reginald Revans, the originator of action learning, died aged 95 in January, 2003. He had invented and developed this method in the UK in the 1940s, working in the Coal Board and later in hospitals, where he concluded that the conventional instructional methods were largely ineffective.

People had to be aware of their lack of relevant knowledge and be prepared to explore the area of their ignorance with suitable questions and help from other people in similar positions.

From one who had started as an experimental physicist, this was a startling conclusion to come to and it brought him into head-on conflict with academe and schools of management in particular.

Later, Revans relented and this is made clear in the opening chapter of his book (Revans,1980) which describes the formula:

L = P + Q

where L is learning, P is programmed (traditional) knowledge and Q is questioning to create insight.

Q uses four "major" questions:

*where?
*who?
*when?
*what?

and 3 "minor" questions:

*why?
*how many?
*how much?

Although Q is the cornerstone of the method, the more relaxed formulation has enabled action learning to become widely accepted in many countries all over the world. In Revans' book there are examples from the USA, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

The contribution of Revans is being seen today through initiatives in leadership development such as those made by Dr Richard Hale and Dr Charles Margerison working with major organisations. They have developed a new approach to education of leaders which is recognised by leading universities interested in work based learning in the UK. This puts the business or personal questions issues before the syllabus, so following Revans' principles 'theory follows the action'. Margerison was heavily influenced by Revans having spent his early career in UK Business Schools where Revans challenged him to 'move to where the action is' and support learning in the workplace. Richard Hale spent his early career in the GEC organisation where Revans' ideas were pursued by Sir Arnold Weinstock. Revans distinguished between puzzles and problems, noting that action learning lent itself to working on real problems (e.g. improving productivity or morale rather than puzzles e.g. constructing a balance sheet.) He also noted from his experience working with Nobel prize winning scientists at University of Cambridge, that there was a distinction between cleverness (i.e. knowledge) and wisdom, which showed in the form of insightful questioning. He showed that much powerful learning comes from people learning 'with and from others', hence many action learning programmes put the 'action learning set' at the heart of the process. Key writers on the subject have been Mike Pedler and Alan Mumford in the UK, Michael Marquardt and Joe Raelin in the USA, and Maris Martinsons and Robert Davison in the Asia-Pacific region. Revans achieved major honours in Belgium where he linked higher education with industry achieving major results that impacted on national economic recovery.

Revans's theory of action learning was cited by Stuart Crainer as one of the "75 Greatest Management Decisions Ever Made" in his book of the same title.

References

*Chambers, A. and Hale, R, 2007. Keep Walking: Leadership Learning in Action, RHA Publications, UK.
*Davison, R.M., Martinsons, M.G. and Kock, N. 2004. Principles of canonical action research, "Information Systems Journal", 14(1), 65-86.
*Kramer, R. 2007. How Might Action Learning Be Used to Develop the Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Capacity of Public Administrators? "Journal of Public Affairs Education," 13 (2): 205-230.
*Kramer, R. 2007. Leading Change Through Action Learning. "The Public Manager," 36 (3):38-44.
*Marquardt, M. J. 1999. Action learning in action. Palo Alto, CA:Davies-Black.
*Marquardt, M. J. 2004. Harnessing the power of action learning.T�D, 58(6): 26–32.
*Martinsons, M.G. 1998. MBA action learning projects. Hong Kong University Press.
*Pedler, M., (Ed.). 1991. Action learning in practice (2nd ed.). Aldershot,UK: Gower.
*Pedler, M. 1996. Action learning for managers. London: Lemos and Crane.
*Raelin, J. A. 1997. Action learning and action science: Are they different? Organizational Dynamics, 26(1): 21–34.
*Raelin, J. A. 2000. Work-based learning: The new frontier of management development. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
*Revans, R. 1980. Action learning: New techniques for management. London: Blond & Briggs, Ltd.
*Revans, R. W. 1982. The origin and growth of action learning.Brickley, UK: Chartwell-Bratt.
*Revans, R. W. 1998. ABC of action learning. London: Lemos and Crane.
*Sawchuk, P. H. 2003. Adult learning and technology in working class life. New York: Cambridge University Press.
*Interview with Dr Richard Hale on Action Learning Interviewed by Chris Duckworth, K Learning, KPMG, 14th April 2005:
*Cranier, Stuart. 1999. "The 75 Greatest Management Decisions Ever Made". New York: AMACOM PublishingO'Neil, J. and Marsick, V.J. 2007. Understanding Action Learning. NY: AMACOM Publishing

External links

* [http://www.revanscenter.com Revans Center USA - Action Learning, Leadership & Management Development Organisation based in the USA]
* [http://revanscenter.com/files/Download/reg-revans-manuscripts.pdf Original Article written by Reg Revans in 1979.]
* [http://www.learningandteaching.info/teaching/action_learning.htm Learning & Teaching entry]
* [http://www.viprojects.com/index.asp?level1=22&level2=20&sectionid=20 Margerison, C.J., Memories of Reg Revans – 1907 – 2003:]
* [http://www.viprojects.com site with downloadable articles about action learning]
* [http://www.viprojects.com/index.asp?level1=24&sectionid=24 Video on Action Learning]
* [http://www.wial.org World Institute for Action Learning]
* [http://www.alara.net.au Action Learning, Action Research Association Inc.]
* [http://www.actionlearningassociates.co.uk The top providers of Action Learning Sets and Action Learning facilitator training in the UK]