1. Lesson 02: Are schools learning organizations?
2. Lesson Road Map
3. Are Schools Learning Organizations?
4. Industrial Age Thinking
5. The Learning Organization
6. Characteristics of a Learning Organization
7. Lesson Activities

Lesson Activities

1. Lesson 02 Discussion Questions

   Respond to one of the questions below. Write your comments as a post on the Lesson 02 Discussion Questions Discussion Forum.

   1. Consider the following statement: Most schools/districts today would not be seen as learning organizations. Using the readings, charts, and your professional experience, provide three reasons supporting this statement. Include a supporting rationale for each reason.
   2. What are three of the most important differences between how influence functions in a bureaucracy and how it is viewed in a learning organization? Provide an example from your own experience to illustrate each of the differences in practice.
   3. Using Appendix A’s description of Knowledge Development and Transmission Systems (one of the six critical social systems of organizations from Lesson 1) (p. 292-96), describe three patterns of conduct that you have observed that represent bureaucratic approaches and three that are characteristic of learning organizations. Use a word or phrase to describe each pattern.

   Respond to two postings within your focus group.

   Note: If two posts have been made to one member, choose another member’s response for your posting. During this module you must respond at least once to all other members of your work group. Responses and postings will be graded; see the Syllabus for details.

   Submit post and response to your Lesson 02 Discussion Questions Focus Group.

2. Weekly Reflections

   Review and reflect on the following quesions; write up your thoughts in a blog post:

   Consider your own current position (actual or hoped for) as a teacher leader and your own experience. Reflect upon the status of your organization (school district) as a learning organization. Using your own experiences and perceptions, use the following three questions (Senge, pp. 552-53) as a guide for your writing:

   1. Does the organization have a clear and honest understanding of its current reality?
   2. Is the understanding of current reality shared throughout the organization, and from there do you create new knowledge that is also shared?
   3. Is knowledge translated into effective action toward a commonly desired future?