In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Anamaria Dorgo Anamaria Dorgo, the founder of Handle With Brain, shares her innovative "No Course" approach to learning design. Learn how to create sustainable learning communities, encourage participant-led experiences, and leverage curiosity and adaptability in the learning process.

About Anamaria Dorgo

Anamaria Dorgo is a Learning Experience Designer, Facilitator, and previously the Head of Community at Butter. With degrees in psychology and human resources, she has a lifelong commitment to learning, resulting in her creating engaging learning experiences for a global community. ​​She is the founder of Handle with Brain, an experience design consultancy.

Key takeaways:

• Collaborative Learning: The "No Course" approach is based on peer-to-peer interaction and mutual support, encouraging participants to learn by doing and sharing real-time feedback. Ideal for projects involving new technologies, such as AI.
• Community Building: Start small with passionate peers, prioritise co-creation, and let the community grow organically. Shift from a service provider mindset to a collaborative, participant-led approach for sustainable development.
• Action-Based Learning: hands-on, context-specific projects help participants focus on their personal and professional growth. Bi-weekly sessions with peer coaching and practical workshops ensure continuous progress and learning.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) Introduction
• (00:05:08) Experimenting with peer coaching and the liberating structure called Troika consulting
• (00:12:40) Switching meetings to weekly, adding workshops and speakers.
• (00:15:04) How content is enhanced by peer sessions.
• (00:18:04) Auditing requires thorough individual analysis first.
• (00:21:45) Having a Slack channel for communication and cohort updates.
• (00:24:24) Collaborative learning fosters accountability and progress.
• (00:30:04) Communities start small and grow through shared value.
• (00:31:20) Collaborative learning is about inviting questions and finding answers.

Links from the podcast:

• Connect with Anamaria Dorgo on LinkedIn
• Check out her website 
• More about the course
• Learn more about Liberating Structures
• Listen to Mapping Ties