Action learning: developing critical competencies for knowledge era workers

For most of the twentieth century, the goal in education was the generation and dissemination of information. With the rise of technology and unlimited access to information, it is the ability to apply knowledge and learn from experience that is the new priority for employee development. Action learning, with its emphasis on action and reflection, provides an effective means to develop the learning competencies our new world requires. This article describes the action learning process used in a Fortune 500 company and highlights the findings of a learning competencies evaluation survey.