Ready to join a learning group? Learning groups are composed of OSU employees who meet to share expertise, learn new skills, and increase their understanding of OSU policies and procedures. Learning groups meet throughout the academic year, with registration typically occurring in October. There is no cost to join a learning group.
Click here for a look at the current Cooperative Learning GroupsCooperative Learning Groups provide a way for staff to informally share expertise, obtain information from one another, and prepare for advancement by gaining knowledge in areas not necessarily within their job descriptions. New employees join learning groups to gain skills and resources needed for their present jobs.
Group leaders aren't expected to function as teachers. The teaching role falls to the group members themselves; through cooperative interaction, they work to teach, help, and learn from each other.
Being a part of a Cooperative Learning Group is a commitment. Group members are equally responsible for the group's success in meeting the members' needs. Both leaders and members are responsible for committing time and energy to the relationship.
You'll come out ahead as group members serve as sounding boards for one another, share information and experiences, solve problems, create a network for crossing departmental boundaries, and establish paths to the sources of knowledge needed for improving job performance.
Cooperative learning depends on each member being an active participant in the learning/teaching process. By sharing information and experiences with other members, all participants gain practical tips and shortcuts to help OSU do more with less.
Your department benefits as you gain valuable skills and insight that will help you perform more effectively in your job. Survey respondents have listed increased skills, networking contacts, peer support, and acquiring skills and knowledge that pertain to their job and well-being as worthwhile aspects of learning group participation.
Each Cooperative Learning Group has a committee member liaison to assist with any problems and provide interaction with the Mentoring & Networking Committee. Members who attend at least fifty-percent of the meetings will receive a signed Cooperative Learning Group participation certificate.
OSU employees have first rights to be in any of the groups. It's first-come, first-served, as space allows. For these purposes, OSU Foundation and Ag Foundation are considered OSU employees. Once all OSU employees have signed up, if there's still room and the group members agree, they can allow non-OSU employees to participate.
Participation as a leader enhances your professional development and leadership skills.
The Mentoring & Networking Committee, all volunteers , is actively committed to this continuing program for OSU's employees to share their knowledge, skills and abilities with other employees to help them meet the demands of increased workloads and rapidly changing technology.
If you have any questions for comments, please contact a Mentoring & Networking Committee Member.