OpenAgile Primer on Systematic Learning

What is Systematic Learning?
the use of the Learning Circle model

Concepts and information about Systematic Learning

 * Systematic Learning is the foundation, the Learning Circle is a model of systematic learning
 * The Learning Circle is the mental model we apply both in the structure of OpenAgile (e.g. the Progress Meetings) and informally while being a participant in an OpenAgile environment
 * the symbiotic nature of the individual and the team in the learning process

Quotes
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Viktor E. Frankl

"'How does one become a butterfly?' she asked pensively. 'You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.'" - Trina Paulus, Hope for the Flowers, p. 75

"Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back." - Chinese Proverb

"The central task of education is to implant a will and facility for learning; it should produce not learned but learning people. The truly human society is a learning society, where grandparents, parents, and children are students together." - Eric Hoffer

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." - Confucius

"The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind." - Khalil Gibran

"Virtues are acquired through endeavor, which rests wholly upon yourself." - Sidney Lanier

"Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents." - Khalil Gibran

"Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men." - Confucius

"Wise kings generally have wise counselors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one." - Diogenes

"Always desire to learn something useful." - Sophocles

"Only the educated are free." - Epictetus

"The process of scientific discovery is, in effect, a continual flight from wonder." - Albert Einstein

"Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." - Buddha

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage." - Maya Angelou

"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence." - Robert Frost

Axiom, story or example
The Learning Circle is a model that is both organic and disciplined. It is a model that we can use to become more conscious of how we are learning. In fact, most of us use this sequence of steps unconsciously in day-to-day life. For example, if you wish to learn to cook a new dish from a cookbook, you will likely follow the steps in the Learning Circle starting with Learning. You examine the cookbook to learn what to do, and what ingredients to use. Then you plan the actual cooking which may mean realizing that you need an ingredient or a cooking tool that you do not have. Once you have a plan based on what you have learned in the cookbook, you take action. You gather your ingredients and your tools. You start mixing, cutting, heating, cooling or whatever the recipe calls for. Eventually you have completed everything in the cookbook's instructions. You are not yet done however. You look at, taste and share what you have created. This is Reflection: you gather data and impressions about the results of your work. And then you learn: Do you like what you made? Did you make a mistake? Do you think you might be able to make the recipe better? If you shared it, you may learn that the people you shared with do not like the taste of what you have made. Then, you will plan again: do it better, or decide not to try again. You have gone through the steps of the Learning Circle.

References (links)
Insights on Guidance "OpenAgile is not (just) Empirical" http://www.agileadvice.com/2011/09/26/scrumxplean/openagile-is-not-just-empirical/

Draft for Publication
“Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back.” - Chinese Proverb



The Learning Circle is a simple and practical model of systematic learning. This model describes learning as a series of four steps for us to follow, four capacities for us to develop, and the pivotal importance of Guidance. The steps are repeated over and over thus giving us the opportunity to get better at learning and to make progress. The Learning Circle model applies to traditional operations and project work as well as primary learning environments such as research and innovation.

The Four Steps
The four steps in the Learning Circle are Reflection, Learning, Planning, and Action, and are followed one after another, over and over. It is possible to begin an endeavour with any of the four steps. The diagram below shows the Learning Circle Model:

1. Reflection - The Reflection step is a pause in our activities where we gather data, impressions, history, stories, and any other observations about what we have done. In order to do this effectively, we must develop and exercise the capacity for Detachment – detachment from preconceived notions.

2. Learning - In the Learning step we carefully examine the observations made in the Reflection step and "discover" new insights, skills, relationships, structures, failures or any other conceptual changes. We search for the principles involved in our work. In order to do this effectively, we must develop and exercise the capacity of Search – search for the underlying principles.

3. Planning - In the Planning Step we apply the conceptual understandings we have developed. We create a plan of action using the newly discovered principles from our learning step. We should directly reflect in our planning each insight or principle we have learned. In order to do this step effectively, we must develop and exercise the capacity for Love – love for the act of learning.

4. Action - In the Action Step, as an individual, team, or organization we carry out the plans we have created. We do our work. In order to do this effectively, we must have Courage – courage to plunge into the unknown.

The Four Capacities
Each of the four capacities in the Learning Circle are prerequisites for taking the next step. At the same time, as we exercise these capacities through the use of the Learning Circle, we develop these capacities within ourselves, in our teams and in our organizations. Our inner conditions and capabilities have an effect on our environment which in turn then has an effect on us. By going through the Learning Circle, we use and develop these four capacities:

1. Detachment - The capacity for Detachment supports the Reflection step. Detachment is openness. Detachment means that we set aside our ego and objectively look at the evidence including facts, events and feelings.

2. Search - The capacity for Search supports the Learning step. Search includes consultation, wisdom, discernment, judgement, and search for solutions.

3. Love - The capacity for Love supports the Planning step. Love of learning creates openness to Guidance. Love engenders vision, passion, and a sense of purpose.

4. Courage - The capacity for Courage supports the Action step. Courage encompasses conscious choice, volition, willingness, and desire to act even in the face of uncertainty.

In the beginning, we may not be strong in these capacities. However, with practice in the Learning Circle, we have the opportunity to grow and become comfortable with the Four Capacities. As they say “practice makes perfect.”

Guidance
Central to the effectiveness of the Learning Circle is the concept of Guidance. Guidance is the act of assisting an individual, team, or organization to reach a destination by accompanying, giving directions, or supplying advice. Guidance plays a pivotal role in developing our capacity and can be applied to all four steps and all four capacities. For individuals, teams, and organizations, Guidance is critical to be able to progress in the development of knowledge, skills or capacities. Guidance can come from within – a team member who has expertise can share it with the other team members. And Guidance can come from outside – we can bring experts into the organization, we can read books or web sites. Inspiration can also be thought of as a form of Guidance, for example a team member suddenly has a bright idea. Being open to receiving Guidance ensures that the Learning Circle is both organic and disciplined.