CCSL Core Resources
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Contents
The "what": social learning defined
Our definition: Social learning approaches help facilitate knowledge sharing, joint learning and co-creation of experiences between particular stakeholders around a shared purpose, taking learning and behavioural change beyond the individual to networks and systems. Through a facilitated iterative process of working together--in interactive dialogue, exchange, learning, action and reflection and on-going partnership--new shared ways of knowing emerge that lead to changes in practice.
For help with other relevant terminology and acronyms, check out the CCSL Glossary and Acronym List.
Other resources:
- [http:www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol15/iss4/resp1/| "What is Social Learning" academic paper] by Reed et al. (2010) in Ecology and Society//
- "What is Social Learning" YouTube video by Dwight Towers, a 2-minute summary of the Reed et al. paper
- "The acoustics of social learning: designing learning processes that contribute to a more sustainable world" paper by Arjen Wals, Noor van der Hoeven and Harm Blanken, see page 11, "Key features of social learning"
- The social learning checklist, by the CCSL team, provides a simple entry point to the major aspects of social learning
Distinguishing social learning from other approaches:
The CCSL initiative is currently working on mapping other relevant fields and approaches in relation to social learning, as well as developing a set of criteria or list of questions to ask that will help researchers and others to distinguish genuine social learning from other methodologies and results. We welcome your input to this list and are currently gathering feedback through our Yammer group. To request an invite to the group, please email Carl Jackson (carl.jackson [at] westhillknowledge.com), Pete Cranston (pete.euforic [at] gmail.com) or Ewen Le Borgne (e.leborgne [at] cgiar.org).
Other resources:
- Introduction: Action Research for Development and Social Change paper by Danny Burns, Blane Harvey and Alfredo Ortiz Aragon: on the difference between participatory action research and social learning
- Social Learning for Adaptation: a descriptive handbook for practitioners and action researchers: see page 2, "How is a social learning approach different to other participatory approaches?"
The "why": social learning's potential and the CCSL initiative
To learn about social learning's potential in the context of climate change and food security, and to find out more about how the CCSL initiative plans to use social learning approaches to tackle these "wicked" problems, check out our:
- CCAFS Working Paper 98: Monitoring and evaluating social learning: a framework for cross-initiative application.
- CCSL learning brief #1, "Climate Change and Social Learning"
- CCSL brochure, "Unlocking the potential of social learning for climate change and food security"
- CCSL whiteboad video', "Transformative partnerships for a food secure world"':
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The "who": others using social learning
The CCSL initiative is currently working on mapping relevant organizations and individuals working on social learning. We welcome your input to this list and are currently gathering feedback through our Yammer group. To request an invite to the group, please email Carl Jackson (carl.jackson [at] westhillknowledge.com), Pete Cranston (pete.euforic [at] gmail.com) or Ewen Le Borgne (e.leborgne [at] cgiar.org).