ABT Action Labs
Action Labs are a new method of “understanding and creating change for leaders, organizations, and individuals” (Saunders, 2007). Action labs can be useful when a school, group, or organization wants changes to the following:
- Challenges that are a response to major transitions, dilemmas, and patterns where the normal answers are no longer sufficient;
- New innovations and ways of working to create a greater impact on learners and leaders;
- More appropriate behaviors and beliefs that reinforce signature approaches.
Saunders (2007) suggests the stages in an action lab need a cycle of “sensing and shaping” to develop the practices necessary to create change in the individual and environment. His stages in this process include:
- Focus
- Notice
- Appreciate
- Discern
- Shape
- Practice
- Incorporate
Action Labs can focus on an idea, process, or a previous activity. They are always a relational process involving individuals working together to create a new piece of learning or innovation. Our ABT in Action Labs incorporate Saunders stages within each experience in order to maximize the influence and result in the classroom or activity involving youth and students.
For more information about Saunders’ work in “action learning labs”, please go to: www.actionlearninglabs.com.
The ABT in Action Labs consists of three (3) major “action labs”: 1) You, 2) Others and Relationships, and 3) Situations and Responsibility. Each section has an agenda with learning experiences listed. Some are activities you will want to use in group sessions, and others are optional in case you want to support more opportunities for learning. Each activity in the leader guide follows a specific template for easy understanding and delivery for you as a leader. The template contains the following components:
- Overview or outcomes of activity
- Materials needed
- Preparation, if needed
- Explanations and Procedures for all activities with leader statements
- Debrief and Discuss questions to connect to the classroom experience
- Taking it Further
You will want to add in your own stories, knowledge, and experience to support the connections to the material. Use the guide to support you, lead you, and assist you in developing asset-based thinking skills in your students, teachers, leaders, and parents.
Click here to download a list of ABT in Action products.
Learn about The I in You through the video below.