Co-design: Practical Ideas for Learning Across Complex Systems

This book provides a guide to co-designing learning environments and relationships.

Learning is fundamental to living and organizing in complex systems. The authors begin by revisiting what learning means in living systems. Their experiences with business organizations and formal education systems have led to the conclusion that learning has been lost from view in many complex systems.

The authors briefly trace the history of ideas about learning to give new energy and focus for co-designing learning places. The 12 thematic chapters in this book focus on practical ideas. Each chapter centers on a theme that is explored through a collection of short pieces-presented as ideas, theories, stories, approaches, and methods. This book will benefit a multitude of people and professionals who are interested in new ways to think about learning, both individually and collectively-it was written with a diverse readership in mind.

Dr. Mark Gatenby is a lecturer in the Design School at the University of Arts London (London College of Communication) and a director of the Centre for Co-design and Learning, an international network of academics and practitioners.

Dr. Stefan Cantore is a senior university teacher at the University of Sheffield Management School, United Kingdom, focusing on professional development and executive education. He has an MBA, is a qualified executive coach, and has a master's in people and organizational development.