Subject Description Form
Subject Code
ISE459
Subject Title
Practices in Organizational Learning
Credit Value
3
Level
4
Pre-requisite/Corequisite/Exclusion
Nil
Objectives
The objectives of the subject are for the students to
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Subject Synopsis/
Indicative Syllabus
18.3.2014
1.
understand the principles of organizational learning;
2.
be aware of the process and arts of organizational learning regarding the
various relevant issues;
3.
apply various tools and techniques involved in the practice of
organizational learning.
Upon completion of the subject, students will
a.
have a fundamental understanding of concepts and theories of
organizational learning;
b.
demonstrate the understanding of process and arts of organizational
learning;
c.
apply the action learning approach for individual and team learning, and
further to build an learning organization.
1: Introduction to Organizational Learning
 Have the basic concept of why an organization should learn.
 Know about the evolution of the organization learning concept.
 Recognize the characteristics of a learning organization.
 Be able to differentiate between a learning organization and
organizational learning.
2: The Process of Organizational Learning
 Critically examine various learning theories, as well action learning
3: The Art of Organizational Learning
 Understand how knowledge teams are formed and how they work.
 Experiment with various techniques to encourage team learning.
 Apply reflective practice in team learning
 Recognize the various factors that may affect the mental models.
4: Building Learning Organizations
 Understand the importance and interplay of the inquiry process,
mental models, and reflection as the basic building blocks of
learning organizations.
 Know how to formulate actionable and evaluative projects to start
the organizational learning process.
Teaching/Learning
Methodology
A mixture of lectures and workshops are used to deliver the modules in this
subject. Lectures are few, and most of the teaching is conducted in the form of
interactive small-group activities. Students practice various techniques
themselves, and report on their observations and findings.
Assessment Methods
in Alignment with
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Specific assessment
methods/tasks
%
weighting
Intended subject learning outcomes to
be assessed
a
b
c

1. Individual
assignment/ project
40%


2. Test
20%


3. Group project
20%
4. Reflective Journal
20%
Total
100%



The assessment methods involve both individual and team learning, and
require students to apply the learned knowledge.
The various forms of assessments/assignments facilitate students to not only
understand the learned topics, but also to reflect on the topics.
Student Study
Effort Expected

Assessment Methods 1 & 2: Assignments and test assess the students’
understanding on the basic concepts of the subject.

Assessment Method 3: Project assesses the students’ ability in
application of the learned knowledge, that is, the techniques in
assessing corporate ventures and the management of innovative
entrepreneurship.

Assessment Method 4: Reflective journal requires students to
demonstrate how they can incorporate the concept and theories of
organizational learning in the learning process of the subject concerned.
Class contact:

Lectures
12 Hrs.

Workshop/case study/tutorial
27 Hrs.
Other student study effort:
18.3.2014

Reading
42 Hrs.

Project/Assignments
30 Hrs.
Total student study effort
Reading List and
References
18.3.2014
111 Hrs.
1.
Argyris, C. 1999, On Organizational Learning, 2nd ed. Malden, Mass.:
Blackwell Business. ISBN 0-631-21308-2
2.
Argyris, C. 2000, Flawed Advice and the Management Trap: How
Managers Can Know When They're Getting Good Advice and When
They're Not, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19513286-6
3.
Argyris, C. 2004, Reasons and Rationalizations: The Limits to
Organizational Knowledge, Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19926807-X
4.
Senge, PM 2006, The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The
Learning Organization, New York: Doubleday/Currency
5.
Torbert, B 2003, Action Inquiry, the Secret of Timely and Transforming
Leadership, San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.