Purposeful Professional Development
The best professional development strategies are a blend of informal learning obtained on the job and periodic training experiences with external educators. Facilitated Peer Learning Groups are a professional community of practice where participants get to the heart of the issues they need to understand to be successful, including clarifying approaches in their work, building skills, troubleshooting challenges, and sharing best practices.
For more than a decade IWS facilitators have successfully led a range of peer learning groups, from CEOs of nonprofit organizations to finance managers, emergency preparedness coordinators, health information specialists and many more. Staff who deal with similar issues across multiple agencies, divisions or organizations, share best practices in a structured, supportive community to improve their skills and leverage the collective brain power of the group to develop innovative approaches.
Peer learning groups are highly appreciated by participants for the following reasons:
- Discussion topics are specific, relevant, and customized to participants’ current responsibilities, needs, and interests. People enjoy knowing that others have similar challenges; that they are not alone.
- Learners respond better to hearing how someone has actually solved a problem, such as when a fellow participant talks about their own experience, as opposed to being told by a trainer about applying an idea or theory.
- Participants easily forge bonds, advise and inspire one another because they share so much in common in their work. Additional collaboration and networking occurs over time outside regularly scheduled meetings based on connections established during learning team exchanges.
- Individuals can leverage the collective wisdom of their peers when they most need it.
- A summary of the insights and actions suggested by participants during meetings is provided to all. Summary notes remind those involved in about the full range of suggestions and ideas discussed. They also provide a valuable synopsis for those unable to attend.
- Conversations are cumulative, incorporating participant expertise and building on shared knowledge gained across multiple topics.
- Supplemental resources, articles, tools and subject matter experts are brought to bear on specific areas of interest by team participants and facilitators.
