Chris Argyris defined double loop so succinctly on page xii of Reasoning Learning and Action: If the thermostat did question its setting or why it should be measuring heat at all, that would require re-examining the underlying program.? This is called double-loop learning.
On page 94 of the same book, Argyris mentioned Gregory Bateson’s “deutero-learning”, which Bateson basically defined in Steps to an Ecology of? Mind as “second order learning” or “recognizing a context for learning”. ?
We are going to produce a Christmas Communication Project and Event this semester in an effort to create a total intelligent learning environment.? It is an event that has some features that are traditional and routine.? The place, so far, has been Sanaru Kaikan Hall.? Christmas has certain motifs that are? welcome, even if hackneyed and totally predictable.? Yet there is always space for novelty as well.? Each top manager has a chance to define things, each cooking team has a chance to choose new menu items, each entertainment manager can create a new vision.??
You would be amazed how many times the game of bingo has been proposed as the best entertainment possibility.? I think it has been proposed every single year.? Only a detailed refutation of the game’s communication potential and fierce resistance has prevented the game from always showing up — though it does make appearance no matter what.? It’s a default menu.? Whenever there is a lull in management, a game of bingo appears.? Oh, but I must say that some perfectly predictable children’s game could be just the thing.? People can be quite delighted carrying eggs on spoons.? Or the game of bingo done in a totally new way.? Well, actually, to catch on to “double-loop learning” sometimes it could just be how many watermelons we used.? Two watermelons.? Two watermelons is enough for 100 to 150 people.? I don’t know why.? Three is too many.?
The point being that the whole point of the whole exercise is that some of us can catch on to learning to learn, to use experiences to learn, any experiences.? The chance that the extracurricular, yet academic, activity gives us to evaluate how and why we do things, what we did, what we learned, and what we could do — is amazing.? The environment is so rich with random and unknown features.? Contingency everywhere.? Yet the details are recoverable with some patience and the reports of participants.
But more importantly, for managers, there are absolutely tons of moments when communications fail, feelings get hurt, people act heroically and are adored for their adroit timing and deft handling of situations.? Relationships fail to gel.? Sometimes things work well.? We can see why.? We can see it.? We all see it and we can talk about it — well, we can’t.? There are serious taboos in place.? That is what we are working with.?
Actually, the whole thing is a very joyous and passionate experience.? I wish you could be there and tell me what you see.? Vandy?