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State of Learning LeaderNet Blog

As part of a blog series on learning, you will hear directly from members of our global community on The State of Learning. You will learn from these diverse voices about transformational and experiential learning, learning from small and colossal failure, client-centered learning, mentoring the next generation of learners, harnessing the power of learners, and measuring learning. We showcase these blogs with the hope that health and development practitioners across the world will learn from each other’s experiences to deliver improved health.

Four Things I Have Learned about Learning

People often struggle with how to capture and share learning, how to create meaningful and productive learning opportunities, and how to measure success. Here are some lessons I have learned from my 15 years of working as a leader and instructor in knowledge management and learning. Keep it simple and systematic As public health professionals, [more…]

Wishing to Change Learning: Who, How, and What

“If you knew better, you would do better.” – TD Jakes

The Internet has expanded knowledge enormously. People can learn how to crochet, raise a kitten, code, and how to take care of a baby from the comfort of home. For the first time in human history we can get the information we need, when we need it, and at very little cost. But many people still struggle, especially those who are older, female, poor, or have disabilities. Many times they can’t access the information they need in ways that are useful to them. Often the resources available require a guide or a trainer to help them to get the best out of the information.

Learning Relationships: Building M&E Capacity at a Global Health Organization and Beyond

Dominic Mutai remembers his first experience as a mentee in PATH’s M&E Professional Engagement Program, or M&E PrEP, as it’s more commonly known. The program strengthens monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity by helping M&E professionals improve their knowledge of practice standards, build skills necessary to deliver high-quality work in the field, and apply these practices [more…]

Learning from the Inside Out

The IBP Initiative has a history of facilitating learning among our member organizations. Based at the World Health Organization (WHO), we have access to clinical experts working on WHO resources and guidelines. As a network of implementing partners, we also have access to technical experts working at the country level. Fostering learning between these key [more…]

Learning how to Learn

Learning is a demanding pursuit. The human brain typically comprises about two percent of our body weight, but consumes roughly 20 percent of our metabolic energy — more than any other organ. There are many ways to deploy that energy. To be strategic, organizational leaders must direct intellectual resources toward the right goals through a process of guided learning.

Experiential Learning: A Hands-on Approach

With a foundation in adult learning principles, experiential learning provides an opportunity for in-depth skills development through interactive activities, case studies, problem solving, and discussions. Working together, learners can draw on each other’s knowledge and experience and practice new skills in a safe “test” environment. Methods to facilitate experiential learning include scenario-based training, role-play, guided discovery, hands-on tools application, and group activities.

Transformational Learning: Rewind and Fast Forward

Transformational learning – the kind of learning that in a moment shakes fundamental beliefs and assumptions resulting in new ways of seeing each other and behaving accordingly.

Those of us in the training and facilitation professions likely aspire to get people exposed to the kind of learning experience that fundamentally changes the way they see the world. Usually, when that happens, a series of emotional and cognitive processes are set in motion, eventually producing a change in behavior.