This site is the result of several years of practice and research, as a practitioner on local and regional development in different countries and as a teacher and trainer of others to become practitioners. As a practitioner I have learnt the importance of a social learning perspective to development, learning as understanding, understanding for change, reflecting on those changes and planning again for further cycles. I have also learnt that understanding and acting on development requieres a system thinking and a multidisciplinary approach, sharing and collaborating with many from different disciplines and experiences. Participating in many on-line learning communities have been a privilege and a source for valuable conversations with many colleages, learning to appreciate the value of knowledge sharing and collaboration. It has been also a major experience in terms of research - internet research - as a value mean for further understanding. All these experiences have guided me to prepare this site, for helping others in their own research and action, with a web, blog, wiki and other resources, to further conversations, sharing and collaboration. This site will be continously enriched by participating in many international learning communities and the contributions made at the blog and wiki.  Though, we pretend to maintain and develop this site as a knowledge node for a community of practice on these subjects, helping practitioners and researchers with their need to have access up to date resource. For this to happend, a culture of sharing and collaboration will be necessary. 

The purpose of this site is to explore the relation - in theory, methods and practice - of local development with learning communities and action research, as an  strategy that might help local social processes to become:

We will explore local development, learning communities and action research; supporting the analysis with a knowledge base about theory, methodology, techniques, technologies, participatory experiences and participatory policies; resources for local communities and resources for networking local communities. The whole approach is on social learning for local development, learning by doing, experimenting and situated learning, asset based participatory community development, action research as action learning cycles of understanding by doing and reflecting. For those analysis we have go into an multidisciplinary effort,  covering a large array of theories and approaches, trying to put them in some order and given resources to further the study.

We hope that those analysis and resources might be usefull for students, scholars, trainers, practitioners and local communities who cares about the kind of social processes of local development we care about.

This is an indipendent site, not for profit and non sponsored.
       
INTRODUCTION

The intention of this site is give life and voice to those concepts and listen their conversations, participate in a multidisciplinary effort of reflection about the tools we use and our own practice, facilitating our journey of understanding and actions of local development. You can go alone or as a group, we rather prefer to go as an emergent group willing to become a Community of Practice.

In our conversations, research, understanding and actions, we will be informed by a creative group of living conversational partners: theories, methodologies, techniques, technologies and experiences.

As we care about local communities going collaboratively networked, our community will network itself with other communities, for sharing, social learning and collaborative initiatives. 

We want to be a better community not just for ourselves, but a better community that facilitates others to be the same.

The final result of our community's action research, must be local communities living and enjoying the kind of social process we believe in.

While we develop a blog, wiki and more, please share we us your ideas, proposals and comments by e-mail.

"My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people:
those who work and those who take the credit.
He told me to try to be in the first group;
there was less competition there."  -  Gandhi

"You must be the change you want to see in the world"   -   Gandhi

"You cannot understand a system until you try to change it"   -   Lewin

 
"Local Development, Learning Communities and Action Research"

Notice: you might heard some rumour down there in your calm confort zones, and might unlearn something, while learning. 

This page, was initiated by Giorgio Bertini - as an ad-hoc knowledge-base - during the e-Conference on "Communities of Practice and Web 2.0 Technologies" (Jan 2006), organized by CPsquare - the Communities of Practice on Communities of Practice, founded by Etienne Wenger and other practitioners . As the Conference' language was english, it was developed with resources (links) in english, as an introductory multidisciplinary knowledge base (theories, methodologies, techniques, technologies and experiences) to facilitate conversations about:

From that initial version, the site has evolved into a larger one, with content divided in seventeen sections, many of them still under development.
 

• Home - Introduction
  
• Local Development
• Learning Communities
• Action Research
• Theories
  
• Methodologies and Approaches 
• Techniques and Tools 
• Resources for Local Communities 
• Networking Local Communities and Web 2.0 Technologies
  
• Local Development and Action Research - Experiences
• Participatory Local Development Policies - Experiences
  
• Learning  Journeys
  
• Workshops
  
• References
  
• Glossary
• Newsletter
• Contact

The site will evolve into a multilingual web-blog-wiki (english, italian and spanish), to cultivate global literacies, facilitate conversations, social learning, collaborative action research and networking among students, scholars, trainers, practitioners and local communities with interest in Local Development, Learning Communities and Action Research, with multilingual resources - links, files, syllabus, bibliography, tutorials, handbooks, presentations ...

The rate of change has now reached a point where it alienates people. The skills an individual learned as a young adult are out of date within a decade and will change several more times before the end of the person’s working life. The issues associated with this lack of stability were analysed by Schön 30 years ago, and his analysis and conclusions remain highly relevant. His general conclusions are:

"The loss of the stable state means that our society and all of its institutions are in continuing processes of transformation. We cannot expect new stable states that will endure even for our own lifetimes. We must learn to understand, guide, influence and manage these transformations. We must make the capacity for undertaking them integral to ourselves and our institutions. We must, in other words, become adept at learning. We must become able not only to transform our institutions, in response to changing situations and requirements; we must invent and develop institutions which are ‘learning systems’, that is to say, systems capable of bringing about their own continuing transformation. The task which the loss of the stable state makes imperative, for the person, for our institutions, for our society as a whole, is to learn about learning". - David Schön, "Beyond the Stable State". London: Temple Smith, 1971.

Being developed by Giorgio Bertini
Last updated: Mar 13, 2006

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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT                                                                       

LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT

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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT                                                                       

LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Action Research and Experiential Learning   -   K. Lewin

Action Theories   -   C. Argyris and D. Schön

Activity Theory

Actor-Network Theory

Adult Education

Biology of Cognition and Autopoietic Systems   -   H. Maturana and F. Varela

Capabilities Approach to Development   -   A.K. Sen

Collaborative Research based Learning   -   C. Freinet

Conditions of Learning   -   R. Gagne

Connectivism: Networked Learning   -   G. Siemens

Constructivism

Conversation Theory   -   G. Pask

Conversational Learning   -   J. Bruner

Critical Awareness   -   A. Gramsci

Critical Social Theory   -   J. Habermas

Cultural Historical Activity Theory

Dialogue   -   D. Bohm

Dialogue and Conversations   -   P. Freire

Dialogue and Encounter   -   M. Buber

Dialogism   -   M. Bakhtin

Distributed and Collective Intelligence

Distributed Cognition   -   E. Hutchins

Emergence and Self Organization

Enactive Cognitive Science (Enactivism)   -   F. Varela,  E. Thompson  and  E. Rosch

Endogenous and Self-reliance Approach to Development

Experience based Learning   -   D. Kolb

Experiential Learning   -   C. Rogers

Grounded Theory

"Individual" Constructivism   -   J. Piaget

Learning by Expanding   -   Y. Engeström

Learning Organizations  -   P. Senge

Living Educational Theory Approach to Action Research   -   J. Whitehead

Multiple Intelligences   -   H. Gardner

Organism-Environment System (OES) Theory   -   T. Järvilehto

Personal and Tacit Knowledge   -   M. Polanyi

"Radical" Constructivism   -   E. von Glasersfeld

Second Order Cybernetics   -   H. von Foerster, H. Maturana and G. Pask

Situated Learning   -   J. Lave and E. Wenger

Social Capital and Local Development

      http://www.socialcapitalgateway.org/NV-eng-growthlocal.htm
        http://www.ex.ac.uk/shipss/politics/research/socialcapital/papers/trigilia.pdf
        http://www.ersa.org/ersaconfs/ersa00/pdf-ersa/pdf/380.pdf
        http://www.jyu.fi/ersa2003/cdrom/papers/518.pdf
        http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/%7Efarrell/farrell-knight%20Final.pdf

Social Capital   -   P. Bourdieu

Social Economy   -   K. Polanyi

"Social" Constructivism   -   L. Vygotsky

Social Learning Theory   -   A. Bandura

Systems Theory

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Home

Local Development

Learning Communities

Action Research

Theories

Methodologies

Techniques

Local Resources

Local Networking

Participatory Experiences

Participatory Policies

Learning Journeys

Workshops

References

Glossary

Newsletter

Contact

         Google Translator

Español

Italiano

 

Action Evaluation

Action Learning (AL)

Action Research (AR)

Adaptive Collaborative Management (ACM)

Appreciative Inquiry (AI)

Appreciative Participatory Planning and Action (APPA)

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)

Community based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR)

Community Based Participatory Assessments

Community Based Planning (CBP)

Cooperative Inquiry (CI)

Communities of Practice (CoP)

      http://www.ewenger.com/

        http://www2.parc.com/ops/members/brown/papers/orglearning.html
        http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/cop/lss.shtml
        http://www.co-i-l.com/coil/knowledge-garden/cop/olearning.shtml

Distributed Action Research (DAR)

Ethnographically-based research

Evaluative Inquiry (EI)

Evaluation Socio Economic Development (ESED)

Gender Analysis Framework

Generative Dialogic Change   -   J. Jaworski, O. Scharmer ...

Goal Oriented Project Planning (GOPP-ZOPP)

Indigenous Knowledge (IK)

Interactive Planning   -   R. Ackoff

Knowledge Based Community Development

Learning Systems Methodology (LSM)

Most Significant Change   -   Qualitative Evaluation

Multi-stakeholder Processes (MSP)

Participatory Action Research   -   O. Fals-Borda

Participatory Action Research (PAR)

Participative Community Research (PCR)

Participatory Community Based Research (PCBR)

Participatory Development (PD)

Participatory Impact Monitoring (PIM)

Participatory Learning and Action (PLA)

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PME)

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

Participatory Social Inclusion (PSI)

Participatory Urban Development and Planning

Popular Education   -   P. Freire

Process Models

Problem based Learning (PBL)

Project based Learning (PjBL)

Qualitative Research

Radical Constructivism and Education

Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural Knowledge Systems (RAAKS)

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)

Rights Based Approach (RBA)

Societal Learning and Change   -   S. Waddell

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)

Systemic Constructivism

Value Chains and Value Chains Analysis

Value Networks and Value Networks Analysis

Viable System Model (VSM)   -   S. Beer

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After Action Review

Box of Tools and Techniques

Citizen Consensus Council

Community Capacity Building and Asset Mapping

Community Planning

Community Tool Box

Concept Mapping

Convergent Interviewing

Dialog Mapping

Dialectical Processes

DELPHI Technique

Event Track

Facilitation

Force Field Analysis

Focus Groups and Structured Focus Groups

Future Search

Future Scenario

Group Feedback Analysis

Learning Communities

Listening Circles

Need Assessment and Rapid Need Assessment

Neighborhood meetings

Oral History

Open Space Technology (OST)

Participation

Participatory Appraisal of Competitive Advantages (PACA)

Participatory Geographical Information Systems (PGIS)

Participatory Mapping

Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA)

Participatory Technology Development (PTD)

Participatory Urban Planning

Project Cycle Management (PCM) and Logical Framework Approach (LFA)

Rapid Appraisal of Local Innovation Systems (RALIS)

Study Circles

Search - A participative community planning process

Storytelling

Snyder Process

Stackeholders Analysis

Teams

Virtual Teams

Workgroups

World Café

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Home

Local Development

Learning Communities

Action Research

Theories

Methodologies

Techniques

Local Resources

Local Networking

Participatory Experiences

Participatory Policies

Learning Journeys

Workshops

References

Glossary

Newsletter

Contact

        Google Translator

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Action Learning

Action Research

Action Research and Education

Action Research and Health

Action Research and Organizational Development

Adult Education

Clusters Development

Collaborative Learning

Collaborative Learning Tools

Community Banks

Community Colleges

Community Development

Community Economic Development

Community Economies

Community Libraries

Community Marketing

Community Networking

        http://www.ccnr.net/

Communities of Practice (CoP)

Community Radios

Community Telecentres

Community TVs

Computing Literacy Programs

Cooperatives

Craftsmanship

Decentralized Cooperation

e-Learning

e-Libraries

e-Literacy Programs

Enterprises' Service Centers

Environment Assessment

Ethical Finance

Facilitation

Fair Trade

Geographic Information Systems

Groups, Lists, Directories and Guides

Healthy Communities

Incubators

Indigenous Cultures and Knowledge

Instructional Design

Learning Communities

Local Agents

Local Communities

Local Currencies

Local and Regional Development Agencies

Local Development Knowledge bases

Local Development Training

Local Economic Development

Local Employment Services

Local Libraries

Local Schools

Local Technical Colleges

Local to Local Conversations and Collaboration

Local Welfare Services

Management Training

Marketing Infrastructure

Mentoring

Microfinance

Participatory Community Based Research


Participatory Planning

Popular Education

Professional Learning Communities

Qualitative Research

Regional Planning

Rural Communities

Rural Extension

Rural Tourism

Scaffolding

Science Shops

Service Learning

Social Infrastructure

Sportello Unico

Strategic Planning Training

Study Circles

Sustainable Development

Territorial Marketing

Transdisciplinary Research

Translation

Third Sector

Urban Communities

Urban Planning

Urban Twinnings

Village Banks

Volunteers

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Home

Local Development

Learning Communities

Action Research

Theories

Methodologies

Techniques

Local Resources

Local Networking

Participatory Experiences

Participatory Policies

Learning Journeys

Workshops

References

Glossary

Newsletter

Contact

        Google Translator

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Italiano

 

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NATIONAL  EXPERIENCIES

AUSTRALIA

 

Community Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRASIL

 

Presupuestos Participativos

 

 

 

 

 

CANADA

 

Regional Development

 

Small Villages

 

Community Economic Development

 

 

 

 

CHILE

 

Chile Emprende

 

Proyectos Territoriales Integrados

 

PROFOS

 

 

 

 

DINAMARCA

 

Clusters y Distritos Industriales

 

 

 

 

 

ESPAÑA

 

PRODER

 

 

 

 

 

ESTADOS UNIDOS

 

Oregon

 

Community Economic Development

 

Clusters

 

 

 

 

HOLANDA

 

Consejo Tecnológico

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITALIA

 

PIT

 

Pactos

 

LEADER

 

Contratos de Area

 

PISL

 

Industrial Districts

 

Rural Districts

 

 

 

NEW ZEALAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUDAFRICA

 

Local Development Planning

 

Community Planning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VENEZUELA

 

Polos de Desarrollo Endógeno

OTHER  EXPERIENCIES

MYRADA - AI

        http://www.iisd.org/ai/myrada.htm


REFLECT - PRA and P. Freire

        http://www.reflect-action.org/


Lillis, S. - An Inquiry into the Effectiveness of my Practice as a Learning Practitioner Researcher in Rural Community Development

        http://www.jeanmcniff.com/SeamusLillis.htm


UNESCO - Experiential Learning and Sustainable Development

        http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/index.htm

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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT                                                                       

EXPERIENCES

Home

Local Development

Learning Communities

Action Research

Theories

Methodologies

Techniques

Local Resources

Local Networking

Participatory Experiences

Participatory Policies

Learning Journeys

Workshops

References

Glossary

Newsletter

Contact

        Google Translator

Español

Italiano

 

In this section we will publish international experiences of policies designed to support bottom-up participatory development and planning.

AUSTRALIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CANADA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMISION EUROPEA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITALIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUDAFRICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VENEZUELA

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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT                                                                       

Home

Local Development

Learning Communities

Action Research

Theories

Methodologies

Techniques

Local Resources

Local Networking

Participatory Experiences

Participatory Policies

Learning Journeys

Workshops

References

Glossary

Newsletter

Contact

        Google Translator

Español

Italiano

 

In this section we will publish some Learning Journeys with the purpose of facilitating reading and conversations for their understanding and practice, for teaching, training and learning purposes.

1. Local Development

 

 

 

2. Learning Communities

 

 

 

3. Action Research

 

 

 

4. Participatory Experiences

 

 

 

5. Participatory Policies

 

 

 

6. Learning Theories

 

 

 

7.  Activity Theory

 

 

 

8. Complexity and System Thinking

 

 

 

9. Methodologies and Approaches

 

 

 

10.  Techniques and Tools

 

 

 

11. Resources for Local Communities

 

 

 

12. Networking Local Communities and Web 2.0 Technologies

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This section will gather ideas and proposals for presential and e-workshops to facilitate social learning.

 

1. Local Development

 

 

 

2. Learning Communities

 

 

 

3. Action Research

 

 

 

4. Participatory Experiences

 

 

 

5. Participatory Policies

 

 

 

6. Learning Theories

 

 

 

7.  Activity Theory

 

 

 

8. Complexity and System Thinking

 

 

 

9. Methodologies and Approaches

 

 

 

10.  Techniques and Tools

 

 

 

11. Resources for Local Communities

 

 

 

12. Networking Local Communities and Web 2.0 Technologies

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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT                                                                       

Home

Local Development

Learning Communities

Action Research

Theories

Methodologies

Techniques

Local Resources

Local Networking

Participatory Experiences

Participatory Policies

Learning Journeys

Workshops

References

Glossary

Newsletter

Contact

        Google Translator

Español

Italiano

 
 

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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT                                                                       

Autonomous

Collaborative

Conversational

Emergent

Environment Embedded and Concious

Interactive

Living Action Research

Networked

Non Hierarchical

Participatory

Reflexive

Relational

Self Organized

Solidarial

Systemic

 

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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT                                                                       



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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT                                                                       

Home

Local Development

Learning Communities

Action Research

Theories

Methodologies

Techniques

Local Resources

Local Networking

Participatory Experiences

Participatory Policies

Learning Journeys

Workshops

References

Glossary

Newsletter

Contact

        Google Translator

Español

Italiano

 



In case you are planning to organize some local study circle, course, training, workshop, action research, community of practice, participatory planning, networking, etc., contact us for any support we might be able to give you. The purpose of this project is to facilitate social learning and local development.

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LOCAL  DEVELOPMENT