Exchanging Project Work

Discussion Forums: Circle interactions often take place over email, asynchronous discussion forums, or cloud-hosted common spaces like a Google Doc or website. An effective way to monitor circle progress is to use a weekly progress chart.  This chart has the names of the participants and the names of the projects.  Each week, members check the chart and mark any work they have done on any of the projects.  While one might center their work on a few of the projects, over the weeks that follow, each circle member should make a concerted effort to offer their skills on each of the circle projects.  The chart marks the degree to which the norm of reciprocity is being followed in circle work. 

Video Conferencing:

If the meetings are taking place online in synchronous settings, we have evolved a structure for these meetings.  Using a video conferencing system (Skype, Zoom)  paired with a shared editing document (Google Doc, Etherpad).   The meetings start with 1-2 minute "check-ins," where each participant can share with the group any news, personal, or professional events they wish to share. Although this process can take up to ten minutes, it is not wasted time.  Sharing stories is an integral part of building trust, and hearing what is most important to each person is a valuable aspect of the whole-person approach to learning.  

After check-in, each participant in the circle has an equal amount of time to enlist the work of the circle on their project.  Each leader can choose to structure the process as they wish.  So one person may want to organize a discussion around an important issue.  The next project leader might have experienced a roadblock and may ask the circle for suggestions about how to proceed. A leader might have created a summary document that needs reviewing and shares it with the group, along with directions on the type of feedback that will be most helpful.  Another leader might engage the circle in a brainstorming session about the best way to characterize a process. 

When each project leader has had a turn taking advantage of the group process, there is a final period of "lightning reflections."  In about a minute, each participant picks one insight, idea, plan, or contribution to highlight.  But signaling what was of most value, the group comes to learn how they can increase the help they offer to each other. 

       Meeting Structure (Time: approx. one hour with five participants) 

       Five one to two-minute "check-ins" for five people (7 minutes)  

      Five ten-minute leader-run sessions on the shared projects (50 minutes)

       Five 1-minute Lightning Reflections  (3 minutes) 

In synchronous sessions, Google Docs or Etherpads can be a way for everyone in the circle to keep a running written text of the session.  With four people working on a document and one person speaking, it is possible to have a comprehensive transcript of the session, often with links to resources mentioned in the verbal channel.

Learning to work in teams is an important work skill. In learning circles, circle participants depend on each other to make their project a success. In any team, there is usually a weak link, someone who is unable to do as much as others had hoped. What happens in this situation? What makes a productive circle from one that falls apart? What does it mean to call a group a learning circle?  Understanding productive and nonproductive strategies is part of the learning that takes place in this unique environment. When faced with a non-productive circle member, what strategies are likely to improve the situation? What strategies are likely to lead to a worse circle outcome?

Learning Circles are created by the interactions of everyone on the team. Some Learning Circles are incredible experiences in group cooperation and teamwork. Everyone is ready and eager to work, and each school team has the tools and time to contribute to all projects. In other Circles, the participation levels are not well matched.  Different patterns of access to technology are sometimes reflected in the volume and quality of materials exchanged. Understanding differences, offers of help, and humorous reminders of deadlines are ways of helping others meet their deadlines. Insults, demands, and angry pleas are not as likely to increase group productivity. Helping circle members to monitor their social skills as well as their work on projects can be a very valuable education.

DESIGNING LEARNING CIRCLES:   Getting Ready * Opening the Circles * Planning Projects* Exchanging Work * Sharing the Outcomes  * Closing the circle: