Initial Reflections of the Learning Circle --- November 2009 (seven months, post LC)
What we gained from the experience:
ü The combined focus on learning and producing together was aligned well with how we work
ü It provided a “space” to accomplish work we wanted to do but rarely had time to do before
ü It allowed for a more relaxed way to consider our evaluation work
ü It provided a process for prioritizing our “academic urges” for publication in the midst of the press of practical work of evaluation projects.
ü It provided a space for us to explore different roles of leader and follower
ü We produced shared writing
What helped make the LC successful?
ü Prioritizing the time and not letting things interfere
ü Flexible scheduling
ü Opening exercise was fun and productive to explore writing and thinking styles
ü Lead authors to get things started
What really didn’t work well?
ü Too much structure sometimes got in the way
ü Tough to do work outside of face-to-face meetings (press to reprioritize)
ü Trying to produce writing quickly
Continuing?
We no longer meet as a LC, though collaborative writing is still occurring. We seem to have now integrated the functions and processes necessary to produce written pieces (and accompanying presentation materials in some cases) into our day-to-day work. I think one of the main benefits of the LC was that it jump-started the process and we practiced processes that could move us toward co-authored papers. The experience provided us with a successful outcome and revealed some of the steps we need to take to continue to produce. Our staff remains stable for now and so the collective learning has a shared “life.” It will be interesting, across time, to see how things might change as LC participants move on (through graduation) and new folks come on board --- will the cultural priority and processes for co-authoring be passed on through individuals?