Research & Publications -> On-going Research -> Key Practices in Becoming a Learning Community

Key Practices in Becoming a Learning Community

John Gruidl

Project Abstract

To be successful in development initiatives, communities must not only access technical resources, but must also develop a local culture that encourages innovation, learning, and broad participation. Organizations and communities learn more if they focus on assets, provide opportunities for reflection and feedback, provide opportunities for dialogue and deliberation, encourage team learning, share their learning, and think systemically about solutions. The guiding idea is that a learning community has greater capacity to learn and therefore is more adaptable and flexible in a changing environment.

However, these practices are not easy. They are not a "quick fix" of community problems, but rather require long-term commitment since they involve fundamental changes in the community culture. However, as these processes are practiced, communities will find a much greater capacity to act.

Drawing on a rich body of work in organizational change pioneered by Peter Senge and others, this research describes the practices of a learning community. These practices, when followed over time can be shown to improve the way that residents and organizations relate, lead, and organize for community development. The models developed provide an outline of how communities can improve the relationships among residents and organizations and, thereby, improve the way that residents lead and implement development projects. An advantage of the learning community model is that it brings together many important ideas under one holistic framework.

Deliverables

This research has resulted in a book chapter (The American Midwest: Managing Change in Rural Transition, 2003, published by M.E. Sharpe), article in the Journal of Extension (forthcoming, 2003) and a manuscript that is in the review process at the Journal of the Community Development Society. The implications of the work have also impacted the outreach activities of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.