Designing Learning Circles

Designing Learning Circles

revised 2021

Learning Circles take place over five phases which move from establishing the group to completion and reflection on a group product. These phases can be of different lengths which will define the overall duration of the learning circle. In most cases, learning circles are structured to last between 10-16 weeks. It is possible to have a shorter 6-week circle or stretch out the work for a year. We have also used the learning circles model to structure a group process at a workshop. The important issue is the intensity of interaction and how this interacts with time. A shorter session works fine if there is a high commitment of time, a longer session may better fit the working or learning schedule of some groups whose time commitments are more varied. However, it is difficult to sustain interaction over long periods of inactivity. It is often better to have weekly meetings over a shorter period of time than to have monthly meetings with minimal contact in between the meetings.

Phases of the Learning Circle Interaction

Learning Circles take place in five phases and understanding what takes place during each phase helps illustrate the process. There are learning circle guides for many of the different projects which are often organized around the description of the phases, for example, the IEARN Global Learning Circles Teacher Guide. Here we focus on a guide that is more generic and could be used with any group.

Getting Ready Setting the stage for Learning Circle interaction

1. Opening the Circles: Building trust through self-disclosure and dialogue

2. Planning the Set of Circle Projects: Individual Sponsorship of Collaborative Circle Projects

3. Exchanging Work on the Projects: Distributed Learning and teaching through progressive problem solving

4. Sharing the Outcomes: Publications, exhibitions, Presentations, Websites

5. Closing the circle: Reflective learning

Example of Learning Circle Schedules