Professional Development for Learning Network Facilitators

The Municipality of Almere has embarked on the program ‘Language in Almere – an Urban Language Approach’ to achieve this goal. A key element of the program is the learning and development of education professionals. This takes place within so-called Learning Networks, where education professionals collaboratively work towards a self-defined language ambition while simultaneously enhancing their own language expertise. Educational Development & Training has trained and coached the process facilitators of these Learning Networks.

Learning Networks bring together professionals from different organizations to share knowledge and experiences. United by a shared ambition, they collaborate towards a concrete and valuable outcome. The strength of these networks lies in the collective learning process: participants not only enhance their own professionalism but also develop new insights and practices that can be broadly applied. Examples include creating lesson plans, fact sheets, conversation guides, or even documentaries.

The Learning Networks within the ‘Language in Almere’ program consist of diverse groups of education professionals. These include teachers from primary and secondary education, pedagogical coaches, preschool leaders, and childcare workers. A major added value is the collaboration of professionals from various organizations, which broadens the knowledge base and facilitates the widespread adoption of new insights and approaches within the education sector.

Each Learning Network follows a systematic approach consisting of six steps: setting and exploring a goal (steps 1 and 2), drafting and implementing a plan (steps 3 and 4), and finally evaluating and sharing outcomes (steps 5 and 6). This process usually spans about one (school) year, during which participants meet approximately seven times and work on agreed actions in between sessions. The process facilitator plays a crucial role in guiding the process and monitoring progress, balancing the provision of space with steering when necessary.

To optimally support the process facilitators, Educational Development & Training provided both training and individual on-the-job coaching. The facilitators themselves formed a Learning Network in which they discussed practical experiences and dilemmas related to process facilitation.

Sometimes new insights and approaches lead to continuation: some Learning Networks extend into a second or even third year to deepen and further develop their work.