Understanding Action Learning

In a little departure from my normal reading, my book this week was Understanding Action Learning. Authors Judy O’Neil and Victoria Marsick write for L&D and OD people, but their applied research is pretty grounded:

As much as adult learners can absorb in the classroom, they can learn and retain much more on the job.

O’Neil and Marwick offer a 17-step process to implement Action Learning in organizations. The authors’ experience with a number of global companies is interesting, even if this kind of process-driven approach doesn’t appeal to me personally.

I like the idea that people in companies make ideas real. I like the idea that there’s there’s time for talking and there’s time for doing. I like the idea of Action Learning — it’s a little bit of the guild model, only in this case apprentice leaders learn from company leaders. What I’d look for, though, is how Action Learning moves from the schloopy language of OD folks into the real world. (I think it has with some of the Hoshin Kanri work from the TQM days.)

Understanding Action Learning
Authors: Judy O’Neil, Ed.D., Victoria J. Marsick, Ph.D.
Pub Date: 2007
ISBN: 0814473954

About the Author

Frank Roche

Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.

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