Creating the Learning Organisation (EDUC90182)

This subject provides an introduction to what is meant by a `learning organisation' and `organisational learning'. The term `learning organisation' has become increasingly popular in organisational theory and the management and change literatures. An organization, firm, or school that is capable of learning is deemed to be better at adapting to rapidly changing external circumstances and become more productive and efficient in accomplishing its goals. In talking about an organization that learns, the subject examines the various reasons for learning; the meaning of organisational as separate from individual learning; the different levels and type of learning, as well as structures and processes which either facilitate or hinder the learning which happens in organizations. Of particular importance are the concepts of the distribution of cognitive labour and socially distributed cognition which indicate that learning happens at all organisational levels. Some suggestions are made on how such organisational learning can be structured more efficiently in school, and non-school organisations alike.