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AROW is no longer
maintained. Content is not updated and technical problems may not be fixed. |
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Research Learning Circles‘I am sure that a day with good things – full of friendship, mutual respect and helping each other – will come’ (Dalai Lama) A research learning circle is a small research community meeting on a regular basis (often once each month for two or three hours) for reflective learning, information sharing and mutual support, to achieve milestones towards completing high quality projects on-time. Research learning circles are about the process learning how to do research, rather than the knowledge content of individual projects. Mutual help, dialogue, interpersonal support, and trust are key elements in the learning circle process. All participants share the responsibility for the success of everybody’s project. The contribution of each member is valued and appreciated. Active research communities produce high quality, early completion and fewer dropouts in research degrees. Research learning circles support these processes. They are also fun, and supportive. HistoryThe first Research Learning Circle in the Faculty of Health Sciences met monthly during 2002, with five postgraduate research students and a facilitator (Ian Hughes). Outcomes of this learning set exceeded our expectations, and we were encouraged to expand in 2003. We can attribute the success of the 2002 Research Learning Set to a number of factors. The learning set was rich in theory and practice of action inquiry (action learning and action research) and facilitation. One of the graduate student participants has professional background in action learning and facilitation, and a second had exposure to the theory and knowledge base. All the participants brought their interpersonal skills and their motivation to succeed in their projects. The facilitator, Ian Hughes, has three decades of experience facilitating action, learning, and research. He had also observed a PhD Learning Set conducted in Singapore by MaLAR, in association with the Graduate College of Management at Southern Cross University. For more information on the 2002 learning set click on links in the left margin of this page During 2003 Research Learning Circles were available for a limited number of postgraduate research students who are enrolled in Master of Applied Science, Doctor of Health Science or Doctor of Philosophy. Students may participate in a research learning circle from the start to the end of work on their research thesis project, regardless of whether they are also enrolled in Units of Study. In 2003 students could participate in one of three circles:
In 2004, the Cumberland Research Learning circle and the Global Research Learning circle continued to meet, with a facilitator and co-facilitator. In 2005 an additional face-to-face Research Learning Circle opened, with one facilitator for each face-to-face circle. The Global learning circle continues. Supervision ArrangementsResearch learning circles compliment, and do not replace individual supervision, which is a hallmark of research education at The University of Sydney. Each member of a research learning circle receives individual supervision from one or more research supervisors. Learning circles provide peer support, problem solving, reflection, milestones and other process support. This allows more time in individual supervision to focus on content, including theoretical frame, design and research method. The learning circle facilitator is appointed as Principal Supervisor or Associate Supervisor of each postgraduate student participating. Typically, participation in a learning circle accounts for about 30% of total research supervision. More information and resources for participants are available in this module. Inquiries should be e-mailed to |
