Creating the Learning Organisation

This subject is not offered in 2016.

340 hours

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

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.

Not available

A paper of 6,000 words (75 per cent) and a research paper of 2,000 words (25 per cent), presented as a class paper.

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance at all tutorials, seminars and workshops.

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Argyris, C. and Schon, D. Organizational Learning II, Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1996.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.