The foundation of the Caplor House is learning.
The ability to learn effectively is a fundamental leadership requirement and a vital skill as we work towards creating a more sustainable future. But how can we help people to develop their own learning capability?
Caplor Horizons’ distinctive approach to learning was inspired by international research about effective lifelong learning, and perspectives from our Advisors, Dr Ann Alder and Dr Geoff Cox, who are both experts in experiential learning.
The Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory (ELLI) research, led by Ruth Deakin Crick, came up with “Seven Learning Dimensions” which offer powerful insights into how individuals learn and how they can enhance their learning capacity.
From this we developed our “5 Cs of Learning” which are: Commitment, Consciousness, Critical curiosity, Creativity and Collaboration.
These five dimensions of learning are things that learners can work on for themselves and that facilitators can build into their learning programmes to improve the likelihood of learning being successful. The 5 Cs are designed to help you to think about your own learning and how you can help other people to learn.
They can help you to add variety and challenge to your learning and to create a culture and environment in which learning is valued and becomes a part of your everyday activity.
The 5 Cs of Learning also closely relate to the rest of the Caplor House model. Not only is learning at the foundation of the house, but it is also an essential component of each of the rooms and they each have a distinctive style of learning.
The most effective learning involves paying attention to all of the learning styles in each of the rooms
The Foundations: Consciousness – In introducing the Caplor House model for the first time to groups, the early emphasis is on the Foundations and consciousness. This approach ensures that every person in the organisation is learning-conscious and recognises that you can always learn more and develop your learning capability. Although organisations should provide a space for individuals to learn, it is essential that individuals accept responsibility for their own decision-making about what and how they learn.
Library Learning: Critical Curiosity – Learning in the Library is about developing the learning skills of questioning, challenging and seeking meaning. For example, drilling down into subjects, researching arguments and making sense of available information. It also includes using critical thinking to build understanding of complex topics or data, working out the right questions to ask, and building and testing hypotheses to learn.
Observatory Learning: Creativity – In the Observatory the learning skills of creativity and experimentation are developed. Here it is important to show willingness, and encourage others, to take risks and make mistakes as part of the learning process. Other characteristics of learning in the Observatory include looking for new ways of learning, challenging and breaking existing patterns, learning in a holistic way and making clear connections between current learning and future aspirations and goals.
Family Room Learning: Collaboration – Family Room learning involves building strong learning relationships and seeking to understand and empathise with other perspectives. Here we learn with and from others by sharing ideas and experiences. It also includes developing awareness of your emotional reactions to learning opportunities and being able to ask for support from others in dealing with the negative emotions that new learning can bring about.
Kitchen Learning: Commitment – Finally, learning in the Kitchen involves determination and commitment. Improved competence comes from practising and honing your practical skills to achieve specific and tangible outputs. Individuals that learn in the Kitchen are often systematic, driven and resilient.
