Action Learning is more that just learning by doing, though it is certainly that. This presentation introduces the underlying theory behind Action Learning and suggests ways this approach to learning might be used in a higher education environment.

1. Action Learning
A Conceptual Introduction

2. Presentation Contents
• Biblical Foundations
• Definition
• The Basic Assumption of AL
• Conditions
• Objectives
• The Action Learning Cycle
• Core Elements of AL
• Supporting & Inhibiting Factors
• Why Action Learning at MSCC?
2 PowerPoint ® Slides by Greg Waddell │Mid-South Christian College

3. Definition

4. Definition
“A process for bringing together a group of
people with varied levels of skills and
experience to analyze an actual work
problem and develop an action plan. The
group continues to meet as actions are
implemented, learning from the
implementation and making mid-course
corrections. Action learning is a form of
learning by doing.”
U.S. Office of Personal Management. Learning Strategies for Creating a
Continuous Learning Environment. Washington, DC: Human Capital
Assessment & Accountability Framework (HCAAF) Resource Center.
2006; available at
http://www.opm.gov/hcaaf_resource_center/assets/Lead_tool4.pdf
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5. The PERL Formula
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6. The PERL Formula
Principles
P
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7. The PERL Formula
Principles
applied in Experience
P +E
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8. The PERL Formula
Principles
applied in Experience
and followed up with Reflection
P +E+R
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9. The PERL Formula
Principles
applied in Experience
and followed up with Reflection
leads to Learning.
P +E+R =L
9 PowerPoint ® Slides by Greg Waddell │Mid-South Christian College

10. Objectives

11. The Main Objectives of AL
"The great attraction of action learning is its
unique and amazing power to simultaneously
solve difficult challenges and develop people
and organizations at minimal cost.“
Michael J. Marquardt, "Action Learning," By George!, February 18,
2004; available from
http://www.gwu.edu/~bygeorge/021804/actionlearning.html.
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12. Other Objectives
• Relate theory and practice;
• Test ideas;
• Give and receive feedback;
• Manage and develop themselves;
• Learn to relate to others;
• Communicate effectively;
• Manage projects;
• Apply ministerial skills and techniques;
• Use a range of technological equipment and systems;
• Practice creativity skills.
• Learn to recognize the value of good ideas;
• Learn to acknowledge one’s limitations;
• Increase one’s confidence;
• Etc.
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13. Conditions
• A Spirit of Inquiry
• Honesty
• Teamwork
• Humility
• Empowerment
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14. The Process

15. The Action Learning Cycle
Identify a
Problem
Capture the Interrogate
learning the problem
Implement Make
the plan generalizations
Design
a plan
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16. Core Elements of Action Learning
• Reflection
• Learning
• Real Problems
• Questions (Versus Answers)
• Teams
• A Coach
• Commitment to Action
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17. Supporting & Inhibiting Factors
Supporting Factors Inhibiting Factors
• Risk-taking • Tradition
• Hard work • Comfort of
• Willingness to be familiarity
uncomfortable • Intolerance for
• Clarity of focus ambiguity
• Communication • Isolationism (silos)
• Flexibility • Time constraints
• Lateral thinking • Surface
implementation
17 PowerPoint ® Slides by Greg Waddell │Mid-South Christian College

18. Why Action Learning
for Higher Education?
• It gives us a niche
• It fits our purpose
• It fits the need of the Church
• It fits the growing numbers of “Revolutionary”
Christians.
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19. What Difference will it Make?
Before After
• We give answers • We answer questions
• Education BEFORE experience • Experience IS education
• Shotgun recruitment • Focused recruitment
• Isolated individuals • Teams
• Theory disconnected from life • Life and Theory merged
• Students master college • Students master ministry
• Getting a good grade • Solving a real problem
• Education in pieces • Education is integrated
• Hypothetical education • Education as reality
• Learning individuals • A learning community
• Only students learn • The institution as a whole learns
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20. What Difference will it Make?
Teaching Learning
• What the teacher does • What the learner does
• Assumes stability • Assumes change
• Focuses on knowledge • Focuses on performance
• Teaches a subject • Teaches how to learn
• Emphasizes improvement • Emphasizes transformation
• Independent of school’s • Directly aligned with the
mission mission of the school
• Short-term focus • Long-term focus
• Class-room dependent • Linked class-room and field
experience
Adapted from Michael J. Marquardt, Building the Learning Organization:
Mastering the 5 Elements for Corporate Learning. 2nd ed. (Davies-Black,
2002), 56.
20 PowerPoint ® Slides by Greg Waddell │Mid-South Christian College

21. What Difference will it Make?
Old Institutional Paradigm New Institutional Paradigm
• Crisis driven • Vision driven
• Rigid culture • Flexible culture
• Teaching orientation • Learning orientation
• Regional • Global
• Management directed • Staff empowered
• Bias toward caution • Bias toward experimentation
• Prior knowledge • New knowledge
• Departmentalized • Integrated
Adapted from Michael J. Marquardt, Building the Learning Organization:
Mastering the 5 Elements for Corporate Learning. 2nd ed. (Davies-Black,
2002), 95.
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22. Biblical Foundations

23. Biblical Foundations: Heb 5:13-14
“Everyone who partakes only of milk is not
accustomed to the word of righteousness, for
he is an infant. But solid food is for the
mature, who because of practice have their
senses trained to discern good and evil.”
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24. Biblical Foundations: Rom 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so
that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and
perfect.”
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25. Biblical Foundations: Rom 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so
that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and
perfect.”
thinking
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26. Biblical Foundations: Rom 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so
that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and
perfect.”
thinking
action
26 PowerPoint ® Slides by Greg Waddell │Mid-South Christian College

27. Biblical Foundations: Rom 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so
that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and
perfect.”
thinking
transformation
action
27 PowerPoint ® Slides by Greg Waddell │Mid-South Christian College

28. Biblical Foundations: 2 Tim 3:16-17
“All Scripture
Is inspired by God and
Profitable
For teaching,
For reproof,
For correction,
For training in righteousness;
So that the man of God may be
Adequate,
Equipped,
For every good WORK .”
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29. Biblical Foundations: James 1:22
“Prove yourselves doers
of the word, and not
merely hearers who
delude themselves.”
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30. For More Information . . .
Go to . . .
http://snipr.com/action-
http://snipr.com/action-learning
Or contact me at . . .
DrGregWaddell@gmail.com
30 PowerPoint ® Slides by Greg Waddell │Mid-South Christian College