Organizational Learning

Vivienne Collinson - Michigan State University, USA
Tanya Fedoruk Cook

Other Titles in:
Leadership | Local Authorities | School Change, Reform, & Restructuring

December 2006 | 264 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Organizational Learning: Improving Learning, Teaching, and Leading in School Systems defines organizational learning, provides its theoretical foundations, and identifies six interrelated conditions that appear to foster organizational learning in schools and school systems: prioritizing learning for all members, fostering inquiry, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge, practicing democratic principles, attending to human relationships, and providing for members' self-fulfillment. The authors use practical examples and an on-going case study to illustrate concepts of organizational learning and its application to schools and school systems. They also provide practitioners with opportunities to digest and apply information to their own settings with a series of essential questions, activities and ideas for getting started, areas for inquiry, and reflective journal questions.

List of Tables, Figures and Illustrations

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Part I: What Is Organizational Learning?

Chapter 1: New Ways of Thinking: New Ways of Learning

Moving from an Industrial to a Knowledge Society

Theory and Practice

A Working Definition of Organizational Learning

Case Study

Looking Ahead

Reflective Journal

Chapter 2: Organizational Learning: Original Sources and Perspectives

Why Start With Theory?

How Will Understanding Theory Help an Organization Learn?

Origins of Perspectives on Organizational Learning

Example of Single-Loop Learning

Example of Double-Loop Learning

Example of a Discovering Organization

Comparison of Organizational Adaptation and Organizational Learning

Example of Superstitious Learning

An Application of Organizational Learning Concepts

Example of Organizational Learning by Math Teachers

Reflective Journal

Chapter 3: Core Assumptions of Organizational Learning Perspectives

Core Assumptions

Example of Multilevel Learning

Example of Building Shared Understandings

Example of Embedding Knowledge

A Framework for Understanding and Practicing Organizational Learning

An Example of the Unbelievable

Act-Then-Think

Example of How Language Frames Issues

Reflective Journal

Part II: Why Is Organizational Learning Important For Schools and School Systems?

Chapter 4: Ensuring a Cycle of Continuous Learning

From Individual to Organizational Learning

From Insights to Institutionalized Learning

The Apple Story: Illustrating Four Learning Processes

Example of Learning Processes in a Middle School

Feed Forward and Feedback

Example of Learning Processes: Change in Routines

A Cyclical Process of Learning

Example of Error Detection as a Source of Learning

Reflective Journal

Chapter 5: Organizational Learning as Renewal

Renewal for Sustainability

Deutero Learning

Example of an Organizational Defensive Routine

Defensive Routines in School Contexts

Defensive Routines in Context

From Theory to Practice

Reflective Journal

Part III: How Do Schools and School Systems Foster Organizational Learning?

Chapter 6: Prioritizing Learning for All Members: The Primary Condition

Why is Prioritizing Learning Important?

Learning Case Study

Learning: A Way of Thinking

Changing Thinking, Changing Vocabulary

Learning: The Primary Condition

Example of Openness to Error Detection

Essential Questions

Getting Started Activities/Ideas

Further Reading

Reflective Journal

Chapter 7: Fostering Inquiry and Its Collateral Learning

Why is Inquiry Important for Organizational Learning?

Inquiry: A Specific Kind of Learning

Inquiry Case Study

Inquiry: A Way of Thinking

Inquiry and Attitudes

Inquiry and Attitudes: A Reciprocal Process

Direct Inquiry

Example of Collective Inquiry and Openness to New Ideas

Example of Inquiry as Continuous Improvement

Indirect Inquiry

Essential Questions

Getting Started Activities and Ideas

Further Reading

Reflective Journal

Chapter 8: Facilitating the Dissemination of Learning

Why is Dissemination Important for Organizational Learning?

Dissemination Case Study

Dissemination: A Way of Thinking

Dissemination: Sharing Learning

Examples of Dissemination as Dialogue

Example of a Mismatch Affecting Dissemination

Essential Questions

Getting Started Activities and Ideas

Further Reading

Reflective Journal

Chapter 9: Practicing Democratic Principles

Why are Democratic Principles Important for Organizational Learning?

Democratic Principles Case Study

Democratic Principles: A Way of Thinking

Democratic Principles: A Way of Living

Open Systems and Democratic Principles

A Contradiction: Democratic Life and the Bureaucratic Model

Example of a Minority as a Catalyst for Good

Roles and Responsibilities in Democratic Organizations

Example of Dependency and Low Responsibility

Summary: Leader as Model

Example of Linkages Between Learning and Professional Control

Democratic Principles and Organizational Learning

Long-Term Threats to Democratic Principles in Organizations

Summary of Threats to Democratic Principles

Essential Questions

Getting Started Activities and Ideas

Further Reading

Reflective Journal

Chapter 10: Attending to Human Relationships

Why are Human Relationships Important?

Human Relationships Case Study

Human Relationships: A Way of Thinking

Human Relationships: A Social Infrastructure

Schools With Strong Relational Trust

Potential Outcomes of Independence and Interdependence

Example of Conflict as Learning

Essential Questions

Getting Started Activities and Ideas

Further Reading

Reflective Journal

Chapter 11: Providing for Members? Self-Fulfillment

Why is Providing for Members? Self-Fulfillment Important?

Members' Self-Fulfillment Case Study

Providing for Members? Self-Fulfillment: A Way of Thinking

Historical Communities of Learners

Nurturing Members? Quest for Meaningful Values and Goals

Values and Practices of High-Performing Teachers/Leaders

Ways to Solicit Knowledge From All Members

Example of Goverment Influence on Innovation

Nurturing Members? Commitment and Connections

Providing Opportunities to Communicate and Connect

Nurturing Members? Aspirations for Growth

Hiring to Enhance Renewal

Essential Questions

Getting Started Activities and Ideas

Further Reading

Reflective Journal

Part IV: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Chapter 12: Organizational Learning: A Balancing Act

Creating a Culture That Rewards Learning

The Role of Feedback and Feed Forward for Learning

Example of Influences Affecting Accuracy of Interpretations

Ways to Encourage Argument and Feedback

Organizational Memory: A Double-Edged Sword

Organizational Learning: Improving Learning, Teaching, and Leading

Organization Development: Building Schools'

Capacity to Develop and Extend Organizational Learning

Chapter 13: How Research Can Help Schools and Systems Move Forward

Examining Assumptions

Questions for Researchers and Practitioners

Wanting to Learn

Attending to All Members? Growth

Pinehurst Revisited: Practitioners Modeling Research for and With Students

Glossary

References

Index

About the Authors

The content of the book is timely and relevant. It covers the theories and concepts that I believe are necessary for my students to adopt in order to become effective administrators of buildings.

Dr Deborah Copeland

Educational Admin Dept, Ashland Univ-Columbus Center

June 30, 2023

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