Living the Question

"Community of Light "
by Candee Basford
Copywrite 2005

When I first started facilitating action learning group, I graphic recorded key ideas in the conversation onto chart paper hung on the wall. That means I took notes in a visual format – like this. I began to notice some in the group literally lighting up as I recorded. So I’d ask that person if they would like to give it a try and handed over my marker. That worked like a charm. A couple of years ago, I tried an idea from the World Café. I moved the paper to the center of the table where we sat. I placed markers on the paper and invited everyone to draw, doodle, write words as they listened. At first there was a bit of reluctance but soon everyone engaged. By the end of each gathering we had a table paper full of colorful ideas and words.

When we each moved to doodling and drawing the conversation, we found that we listened more deeply and intently, we made more connections between our ideas, we were better able to reflect on what we were learning. Our graphic table paper made our learning visible and acted like a recording or history of our meetings.

Below are some of the table graphics created by participants of an action learning group.