In Dialogue Education we talk a lot about the 6 Core Adult Learning Principles and the conditions needed for adults to learn well. We talk about Safety, Respect, Inclusion, Engagement, Relevance, and Immediacy as essential conditions we intentionally create in learning spaces. Over time, I have come to realize that my understanding of these principles began long before I had the language to describe them.
Can Dialogue Education work in non-Western cultures? I’m not sure how well it would work in my learning context.”
This question comes up often when I present the principles of Dialogue Education to people engaged in multi-cultural organizations and communities. Most recently, a gentleman from India voiced strong doubts regarding its use in his community of learners.
I have the privilege of meeting almost weekly with incarcerated persons for one and a half hours as an Alpha facilitator. Alpha is a faith-based course that is approved by the local jail in my county in Northern Wisconsin. Each session, as described by the organization, is “a space for honest and open conversations about life’s biggest questions.”
Cultivating a culture of healthy feedback – receiving and offering it – takes time and intentional work in multiple areas. It can begin during onboarding and run through to the exit interview. Leaders can model healthy feedback processes and ensure commitment at all levels of an organization. It can take place in one-on-one settings as well as collectively in groups, personally and professionally.
“Remember that your authority over other human beings is an artificial construct.” [1] I’ve been asking people about their core values and characteristics when they are at their best for over 20 years. I was introduced to this practice through the field of...
During the first day of the Foundations of Dialogue Education course and many other Global Learning Partners learning events, we ask participants to identify guidelines that will support each other’s learning. The generated lists usually include expectations about...
While facilitating a day-long or week-long learning event, setting aside some time for a “check-in” can give participants the pause they need to process and prepare for what’s next. It allows them to reflect, re-energize, and reconnect before jumping back into a...