The Workshop

Welcome to the "workshop" that will scaffold you through the Action Learning Group Project. We will use a series of questions to lead us towards deeper understanding about Action Learning and the 12 Step process.

• What is Action Learning?
• Why are we using Group Projects?
• What are the 12 Steps to Action Learning Group Projects?
• What are we actually asked to do in this project?
• Why do we need to do this work?
• What resources are out there to help us?
• How have other groups gone about this (what were their issues and actions?)?
• If I was leading a group through this pedagogical strategy, what would I have to consider BEFORE we started?

Discuss the answers to these questions with a group of colleagues, checking out the links to the supporting pages.

Once you are feeling comfortable with what and why we are exploring Action Learning in a Group Project around environmental and social issues then lets explore the HOW!!

In groups choose ONE of the 12 Steps...

With the whole 12 Steps in mind devise a way to "workshop" the rest of your cohort through your step, helping them to understand what needs to be achieved by your part of the 12 Step process.

In some Steps there are many activities and you might like to choose one of them (or a part of one of them) to demonstrate some of what needs to be achieved through your Step. Remember that this workshop will be more enjoyable if we can actually DO some of the steps rather than just talking about how to do them.

Throughout this workshop process, you will not only come to understand the 12 Step Action Learning Group Project process, and understand it as a useful pedagogical strategy, but you will begin your own Action Learning Group Project. As you progress through each step you will be learning the step as well as undertaking the step processes with your own issues planning the resulting actions.

You will spend some time reflecting on your own environment, your community, and your own living practices (Step 1). You will consider what it takes to form a successful group with like minded colleagues (Step 2). You will then use your environmental and social interests in particular issues to choose the specific project and decide on some relevant actions to take towards addressing your project issue (Step 3). You may even begin to work through some research ideas (strategies to get the research done, and the content of that research) (Step 4). At this stage you will make a presentation to the cohort naming your group, describing your project and possible actions (see initial presentation).

The Workshop Timing (3 hour workshop):

1. We will take 15 minutes to process the first series of questions (above). This will be done via self exploration, small group discussion and whole group discussion.
2. You will select one of the 12 Steps to workshop (thus forming a group).
3. You will have 20 minutes to work out what to do for your Step Presentation.
4. When it gets to your Step, your group will "workshop" us through it, clarifying the purpose of the step in light of the 12 Step Action Learning Group Project process. The following times indicate how long each group has to present each Step
   1. 15 mins
   2. 15 mins
   3. 20 mins (this is your Action Learning Group and your Project)
   4. 15 mins
   5. 10 mins
   6. 10 mins
   7. 10 mins
   8. 10 mins
   9. 15 mins
   10. 5 mins
   11. 10 mins
   12. 10 mins (including doing a 5 minute reflection)

TOTAL 3 hours

You will also begin to work on your own Action Learning Group Project as we progress through the 12 Steps.

At the completion on this workshop, groups can take a few minutes to prepare their initial group presentations. This 5 minute presentation is to be offered to the rest of the class. See The Project for a description and evaluation criteria.