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Social Learning Systems and Communities of Practice

Chris Blackmore, Open Systems Research Group

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My perspective on social learning • Author• Researcher• Facilitator• Teacher

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• Blackmore, C. (ed) (to be published in 2010) Social learning Systems and Communities of Practice The Open University/Springer

• Blackmore, C. (2009) ‘Social Learning and Environmental Responsibility’ In Reynolds, M. Blackmore, C. and Smith, M. J. eds. (2009). The Environmental Responsibility Reader. London, UK: Zed Books.pp 229-235

• Blackmore, C. (2007) ‘What kinds of knowledge, knowing and learning are required for addressing resource dilemmas? - a theoretical overview.’ Environmental Science and Policy, vol. 10, no. 6, pp512-525.

• Blackmore, C., Ison, R. and Jiggins, J (2007) ‘Social learning: an alternative policy instrument in the context of Europe's water.’ Environmental Science and Policy, vol. 10, no. 6, pp.493-498.

• Blackmore, C (2005) ‘Learning to appreciate learning systems for environmental decision making – a 'work-in-progress' perspective.’ Systems Research and Behavioural Science vol. 22, pp329-341.

• Blackmore, C (2006) ‘Where do participatory approaches meet social learning systems in the context of environmental decision making?’ In: Langevel, Hans and Röling, Niels eds. Changing European farming systems for a better future: new visions for rural areas. Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp. 29–34.

• Blackmore, C. (2006) ‘Engaging with learning systems and communities of practice for environmental decision-making’ in Gould, N. (ed.) Multi-Organisational Partnerships, Alliances and Networks: Engagement, Proceedings of MOPAN 5, International Conference, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, June 2005, pp. 37-40, Devon, Short Run Press.

• Blackmore, C (2004)’ From one-off events to learning systems and communities of practice.’ Pre-proceedings Sixth IFSA European Symposium, April 4-7, Vila Real, Portugal, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. 2004. pp449-458

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Research• SLIM project : Social learning for integrated

management and sustainable use of water • LEARNing project: Learning in European Agriculture

and Rural Networks: institutions, networks and governance

• PhD thesis: Learning systems and communities of practice for environmental decision making

• PhD supervision (with Ray Ison): Chris High and Francis Meynell

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social learning discourses

environmental decision making

communities of practice

learning systems

learning theories

systems theories

environmental learning discourses

Simplified theoretical framework of learning for EDM

Source: Blackmore, 2009

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Social learning in OU courses• T863 Environmental decision making: a systems

approach• TD866 Environmental responsibility: ethics, policy

and action• TU812 Managing systemic change: inquiry, action

and interaction

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Social learning in practice?

(Range of TD866 pictures from Photofusion – cannot be posted online without rights clearance)

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Example 1: What is social learning? 1. Convergence of goals, criteria and knowledge, leading to more

accurate mutual expectations, and the building of relations of trust and respect. If social learning is at work, then the emergence of agreement on concerted action for sustainable water use should be observable.

2. Co-creation of knowledge needed to understand issues and practices.

3. A change in behaviours, norms and procedures arising from development of mutual understanding of issues as a result of shared actions such as physical experiments, joint factfinding and participatory interpretation (SLIM, 2004a).

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Example 2: What is social learning – individual and/or collective?

Source: de Laat and Simons 2002

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Future facilitation of social learning A potential example: people and fish

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