The Learning Cycle (Kolb)The Learning Cycle (Kolb)

RCGP Learning UnitRCGP Learning Unit

BathBath

The learning cycleThe learning cycle

The learning cycle describes the process of learning. The learning cycle describes the process of learning. You can enter the cycle at any stage. For example, you You can enter the cycle at any stage. For example, you may want to start with a plan, carry it out, evaluate what may want to start with a plan, carry it out, evaluate what you learned from it, tell others. Or you may find that a you learned from it, tell others. Or you may find that a conference, course or new technique encourages you to conference, course or new technique encourages you to evaluate the experience and then make a plan to learn evaluate the experience and then make a plan to learn more, and so on round the cycle.more, and so on round the cycle.Depending on your learning style (see side menu) your Depending on your learning style (see side menu) your learning will encompass the following stages:learning will encompass the following stages:Initial discussions with appraiser Initial discussions with appraiser Plan, implement and apply learning Plan, implement and apply learning Evaluate and disseminate learning Evaluate and disseminate learning

1. Initial discussions1. Initial discussions

Task Task Activity Activity Support Support

Preliminary planning Preliminary planning Initial discussion with Initial discussion with appraiser appraiser Appraiser Appraiser

Identify: Identify: Reflection on practice Reflection on practice

Personal learning needs Personal learning needs Peer discussion Peer discussion This Guide This Guide

Service needs Service needs Review with appraiser Review with appraiser Wider reading Wider reading

Baseline performance Baseline performance

Seminar Self-Seminar Self-assessment assessment

Structured method Structured method e.g. significant event e.g. significant event

audit audit

Local group, help from Local group, help from other other

educationalist/mentoreducationalist/mentor

2. Plan, implement and apply learning2. Plan, implement and apply learning

TaskTask ActivityActivity SupportSupport

Plan learning Plan learning Develop appropriate Develop appropriate learning plan learning plan Discuss with appraiser Discuss with appraiser

Implement learning plan Implement learning plan Undertake learning, e.g. Undertake learning, e.g.

educational course, educational course, research activity research activity

This Guide Discuss with This Guide Discuss with appraiser Local group appraiser Local group

Apply learning Apply learning

Implement learning in Implement learning in everyday practice by everyday practice by changing behaviour, changing behaviour, systems, processes systems, processes

This Guide Discuss with This Guide Discuss with appraiser Local group appraiser Local group

3. Evaluate and disseminate learning 3. Evaluate and disseminate learning and identify further learningand identify further learning

TaskTask ActivityActivity SupportSupport

Evaluate learning Evaluate learning Self-assessment or Self-assessment or

structured method structured method e.g. audit Reflection e.g. audit Reflection

Discuss with appraiser Discuss with appraiser Local group Help Local group Help

from local from local educationalist educationalist

Disseminate learning Disseminate learning

Share newly gained Share newly gained knowledge and skills knowledge and skills with colleagues, e.g. with colleagues, e.g. in-house educational in-house educational

session session

Discuss with appraiser Discuss with appraiser Local group Local group

Identify further learning Identify further learning

Identify further learning Identify further learning needs based on or needs based on or

arising from arising from evaluation of learning evaluation of learning

Discuss with appraiser Discuss with appraiser Local group Help Local group Help

from local from local educationalisteducationalist