Finding, Creating and Sustaining Learning Communities

[Pamela Meyer]

On March 12, 2013 we gathered to continue our collaborative inquiry on our experiences, roles and responsibilities in creating learning communities. 

The session included a brief panel discussion where long-time participants in learning communities shared their insights: 

• Patrizia Acerra, Executive Director, International Voices Project (Celebrating Voices of Playwrights from around the Globe)
• Jen Bradburn, Global Curriculum Manager, Mobile at Google
  
• Bruce Mabee, Managing Partner, Milestone Partners
• Leodis Scott, Ed.D., DePaul University & LearnLong.org

Graphic Facilitator, Brandy Agerbeck mapped our conversation. The image of the map is below and can also be downloaded and shared.

Please continue to share your insights, experiences and reflections by posting replies to this forum.

[Pamela Meyer]

I've been thinking about Pat Acerra's comment about how in the theater community, when someone claims a role (e.g. "I am a producer") that person is both assumed to have the skills and knowledge to do that role AND is assuming responsibility to learn that role. This seems to be a wonderfully dynamic relationship to constructing and taking responsibility for our roles and for learning them. I am thinking about ways to foster that in other settings and learning communities.

[Bruce Mabee]

I have not stopped tossing around how "Utility" and "Humanity" can affect (or infect) each other (see the top right corner of Brandy's big pic).  So often, these become opposing forces, a forced choice in allocating time, money and energy. Yet, when I step back, or get help from my community to step back, I can make a much more creative effort.

I want to take the extra effort to set up logistics in ways that enhance, and do not hurt, peoples' spirit. And that spirit can help us create much more efficient, as well as humanistic, logistics!

Thanks to the CAEA Learning Communities session to spark me on this!

Bruce