Developing a Learning Community

Everyone within OC is a part of a learning community. “We” become smarter when each person is learning and sharing discoveries with others.Likewise, a core value of OC is “innovation”. So Innovation will occur only if we continue to learn and try new things, keeping what works and fixing what does not work. There are three

Developing a Learning Community is built on an individual's commitment to life-long learning. If the individual is not learning and growing, the community's ability to learn and grow is hindered. This is why "Personal Development Plans" are developed and implemented.

Developing a Learning Community is built upon the group's commitment to learn. People in the community must have a shared purpose, significant trust and value sharing relevant information with the entire group or particular members in the group who have a specific interest. The group also needs to be educated as to the process of group learning. On the other hand, interpersonal conflicts within the group will limit the learning community. This is why "healthy teams" are valued.

Developing a Learning Community recognized the importance of both formal and informal research. Every one in the community can and should conduct "informal" research. Some people will conduct "formal" research projects depending on identified need, availability, time and funding.

Informal Research

• Serendipity or spontaneous
• Keep your eyes, ears and mind open. Keep asking questions
• Life-long learning
• You share information with your network
• Everyone does this

Formal Research

• A part of your personal or team’s objectives
• Specific research questions and methodology
• Time-limited project
• Product: Public Dissemination of results
• The Researcher’s job

Key Point:While it is important for individuals to share what they are learning with the group, either formally or informally,it is more important that the group processes information together. This leads to the development of better interpretation and application of the data than a single person can produce.