Hot on the heels of this weeks posts around popup learning, informal, ad hoc learning communities, today i am at a very formal event. It’s the annual professional development event for Bath Consultancy Group, one of the organisations i’ve been lucky enough to work alongside for a few years. Every year they take time out, with a group of associates, to reflect on our practice and build new ideas.
Taking time out to learn sounds obvious, but how often do you dedicate time to it? When were you last able to do this? I don’t mean to sit a course, or to complete a piece of compliance training, but rather to reflect, within a learning community, and to develop your professional practice?
Somehow it often seems undervalued: the ability of the group to construct meaning, to develop learning, to build consensus and collaborate. We take time out to sit courses, but rarely build in time for deep reflection.
Last year, this event was a highlight for me, so my expectations and excitement are high: it’s exciting to take time to learn and great to be doing it in the company of people who are selfless with their time.
These experiences don’t need to be formal, but it’s worth reflecting on when was the last time you took time out to learn?
julianstodd
