1st Edition

The Handbook of Work Based Learning

By Ian Cunningham, Graham Dawes Copyright 2004

    Organizational leaders, governments and trade unions all agree that learning is fundamental to organizational and economic success. The question is how it should best be supported. The Handbook of Work Based Learning delivers a compelling answer to this question. Learning needs to be based in the realities of organizational life. This unique, groundbreaking handbook provides a definitive guide to the set of strategies, tactics and methods for supporting work based learning. The three main parts of the Handbook, which focus in turn on strategies, tactics and methods, are written for both the learner and the professional developer alike. Each includes a description of the process (strategy, tactic or method), provides examples of what it looks like in action, explains the benefits and the likely limitations and provides a set of operating hints for applying the process. Nothing has been neglected, so alongside detailed descriptions of what to do and how to do it, the authors have included the Declaration on Learning, created by thirteen of the major figures in the field of organizational learning, a section guiding you towards routes for gaining qualifications, along with a well-researched set of references and further reading.

    Contents: Foreward by Jonathan Garnett; Preface; Part I The Rationale For Work Based Learning: The basis of work based learning; Wrok based learning and the role of decision makers; Work based learning and the role of developers. Part II Stategies For Work Based Learning And Development: Action learning; Apprenticeship; Career advice; Continuing professional development; Internship; Mentoring; Networks and communities; Qualifications; Self managed learning; Team development. Part III Tactics For Work Based Learning And Development: Appraisal and performance reviews; Buddying; Coaching; Deputizing; E-learning; Job rotation and job swaps; Learning resource centres; On-the-job learning; Personal development plans; Projects; Secondments and related approaches. Part IV Methods For Work Based Learning And Development: 360 feedback; Action reviews; Benchmarking; Briefings/demonstrations/presentations; Computer based training; Consulting; Counselling; Critical friend; Delegation; development centres; Dialogue; Discussion; Distance learning and packages/CD ROMs; Induction; Interviewing; Learning logs; 'Management by walking about' or 'Managing by wandering around'; Meetings; Mistakes; Observation/listening; Peer review; Psychometric tests, instruments and checklists; Questioning, asking; Reading; Reflective learning; Repertory grid method - understanding your world; Research; Shadowing; Tapes - videotapes/audiotapes/DVD; Task groups/working parties/committees/steering groups - temporary groups; Travel; Video feedback; Video conference/webcam/teleconference; Visits; Volunteering; Witnessing; Writing. Part V Conclusions And Directions: Appendix I A declaration on learning - a all to action; Appendix II A work based model for gaining qualifications; Appendix III Why isn't work based learning more supported?. Biography; Index.

    Biography

    Ian Cunningham, Graham Dawes and Ben Bennett are all Directors of Strategic Developments International Limited. They have made significant contributions to learning in organizations through their research, their books and their consulting practice with major organizations around the world. They have gained a considerable reputation for their expertise and their dedication to helping organizations become more effective through learning and development.

    '...the stance of this book is how work-based learning can produce a learning organisation, and make it a much more effective one at the same time. Even so, there is very much here that is relevant to wbl from the viewpoints of schools and of the further and higher education sectors. The main themes are the nature of the various kinds of wbl and how they can best be supported (including by whom). ...It’s not often one can say a book with such a price is worth the cost... this one is, without doubt, and many of us can learn a lot from it.' British Journal of Educational Technology 2006 Vol 37 No 5 'There is a good balance of concepts to help the reader understand the philosophy of work-based learning, and practical tools to encourage trying things out'. Useful? 4 stars Well-written? 4 stars Practical? 4 stars Inspirational? 3 stars Overall? 4 stars Personnel Today Oct.2005 'I recommend that organisations with the foresight to recognise the need for learning and development of its employees acquire this book' **** Keith Lawson, Personnel Today, July 2004 'I particularly like this book, it makes a compelling case for work-based learning ...(it) has an attractive logical flow, starting with strategic ideas and progressing through to specific things to do. It is honest in weighing up the pros and cons of the different methods of training it explores...far more useful than a mere encyclopaedia.' People Management, July 2004 'A splendidly upbeat book that leaves you in no doubt that informal, work-based learning must take centre stage if there is to be a quantum leap in learning productivity and effectiveness.' Training Journal, July 2004 'This is the most comprehensive and systematic work on learning that I have ever read. ...it deserves to be widely known and used. TrainingZONE Nov. 2004 'The authors have produced a definitive and authoritative text, which draws on experience in both the public and private sectors. ...it is well presented and good value, ei