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Goals

Gain an understanding of mission and vision of P2PU
Introduce the potential of online education and how to access online courses
Discuss the concept of peer learning, facilitation and the learning circle pedagogy
Review the logistical and organizational considerations for running a learning circle
Present effective strategies for learning circles and community involvement
Prepare participants to run two learning circles in their community

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[Insert information about organization offering training]

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Peer 2 Peer University (P2PU)

non-profit organization

Grassroots network of individuals who seek to create an equitable, empowering, and liberating alternative to mainstream higher education.

Method: Combine online courses, community centers, and open source tools to create face-to-face learning circles.

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check-in

course work

group activities

plus/delta

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What is a learning circle?

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Learning circles

A free, peer-led, lightly-facilitated group of learners coming together to build a learning community and achieve both personal and communal educational goals.
A learning circle must be free, interest-driven, non-hierarchical in structure, and inclusive.
A learning circle is not pass/fail, teacher-led, top-down, exclusive, passive learning.

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Learning circles

Lightly-facilitated study groups for learners who want to take online courses together at their local library.

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Icons from Noun Project created by: Thomas Helbig, Gregory Cesnar, Sketch2SVG, il Capitano

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Icons from Noun Project created by: Thomas Helbig, Gregory Cesnar, Sketch2SVG, il Capitano

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Why do we need learning circles?

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For many individuals, online learning is lonely, difficult, and overwhelming. They can’t learn anything, anywhere, for free!

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...but we can address this

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[Insert personal and organizational reasons of why learning circles are needed]

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[Insert personal or organization’s history of working with P2PU and using learning circles]

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[Insert local impact and case studies]

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check-in

course work

group activities

plus/delta

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Question to everyone:

What questions arise about learning circles?
What do you need to know to reach your stated goals today?
What remains unclear?

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p2pu.org/facilitate

community.p2pu.org

to answer your questions

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Community Learning Needs

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Community: Any group sharing something in common (ie: people in a given geographical location)

Need: The gap between what is and what should be

Community needs assessment: A combination of information gathering (identifying needs and inventorying assets), community engagement and focused action with the goal of community improvement.

The goal of community needs assessment is to make sure that the service you are developing fits the needs of the community you serve.

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Outreach Group Discussion #1

What are some of the ways that you could research and document the learning interests or needs of these groups?

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Outreach Group Discussion #2

What do you think people in this community would be most interested in learning?
Are there organizations, partners or NGOs that may be interested to supporting this group as well?
Are there topics that you are personally or professionally interested in as learner yourself?

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[Insert local community need assessment that have worked]

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Finding courses

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Search p2pu.org/courses

Search course sites like openculture.com and class-central.com or any other internet search engines or online resources available

Find free courses that meets the learning interest or need.

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By the end of 60 minutes, you should:

Try to find 2-3 different online courses that might interest you based on your community learning needs and interest
Make sure you can access the course content or are aware that it is a course that is accessible without payment.

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Create a P2PU Account

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Note about P2PU Log-in

For creating a learning circle, adding a course, or contributing to the community forum, you will need to log-in, which will require you to confirm your email address.

**Watch out! Confirmation email may go to spam folder!**

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Creating a learning circle

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Create draft learning circle using p2pu.org/courses and follow the help text for extra considerations

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Question to all participants:

What do you need to create a good learning environment?

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Start to finish.

What is needed to run a learning circle?

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Promotion & Outreach

Learning Circle Registration Page
LC Communication feature using email and text
Team page (p2pu.org/knls)
Learning Circle Flyer Template
Presentation material
Local organization promotion tools
Find P2PU on social media Youtube P2PU, Twitter @P2PU and Instagram too! #learningcircles

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[Insert local promotion and outreach strategies]

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Connection challenges

What happens when the internet does not work?!

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What issues or topics would you like to spend more time on tomorrow?

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Plans for the evening and tomorrow

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our plan Day 2

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Small Group Discussion

What is the difference between a teacher and facilitator?

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Facilitation Practice

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Online Course Review

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By the end of this session:

If more time needed, continue your search for 2-3 free online courses
Choose one course that you are most interested in. Look through 2-4 course lessons, week lessons or materials
Be comfortable with the course website, registration process and software requirements.
Be a peer leader! Help each other! :)

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check-in

course work

group activities

plus/delta

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Examples of Group Activities:

Check-in exercise

Goal setting

Fishbowl discussion

Feedback on eachother work

Graduation Ceremony

Hosting local speaker

Showing final work

Public presentation of skills learned

Searching for content outside of online course

Or, make up your own and let us all know!

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Open Space

Table #1 -

Table #2 -

Table #3 -

Table #4

Table #1 -

Table #2 -

Table #3 -

Table #4

Session 2

Session 1

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Local Action Plans

What will be your immediate action following this workshop?
What are your goals for implementing learning circles over the next 3-6 months?
What are the activities you plan to undertake to reach these goals?
What are the gaps you foresee and places you need help?

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Role of Organizer

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[insert team onboarding and support best practices]

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Regional Coordination

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P2PU Global Support

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Kansas City

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introduce yourself to the P2PU community (community.p2pu.org)

Your name and where you come from
Your vision and hope for learning circles
Audiences you are hoping to work with
Courses you are thinking of using

post any questions to the community forum

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check-in

course work

group activities

plus/delta

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