Can Learning Organization Qualities be Trained in the School System? A Case Study at Apelgårdsskolan in Rosengård

Abstract: Title: ABILITY > KNOWLEDGE - Can Learning Organizational Qualities be trained in the school system through Supplemental Instruction, and if so, how early? Issue of Thesis: The acceleration of the amount of knowledge that an organization in the 21st century needs to process is growing with exponential numbers. In order to survive, the organizations need to transform themselves into Learning Organizations. This thesis examines if Supplemental Instruction, a peer-to-peer based learning method can develop students’ qualities to work in a Learning Organization. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to see if a peer-to-peer based academic support model called SI can develop qualities among individuals at a lower secondary school for an organization that continually learns, a Learning Organization. Method: The method has been explorative, using both a quantitative and qualitative approach. Theory review of both the concept of Learning Organization and Supplemental Instruction has been carried out to define Learning Organization Qualities and to see if Supplemental Instruction has developed these qualities in the past. A case study was established at Apelgårdsskolan, a lower secondary school in Rosengård, Malmö, Sweden. Here, an SI program was established in math for 7th and 9th graders for a period of 9 SI sessions per group. During the SI program data was collected through in classroom observations, continuous journal by the authors, and post SI program interviews and questionnaires. Conclusions: The results and the SI program indicate that the following qualities most likely developed due to SI: To Reflect on and Question Themselves and their Surrounding Environment, To Collaborate and Prefer Learning Together with Others, and To Share Knowledge With Others. However, it is too early to evaluate to what extent SI is able to develop such qualities. This requires a more exhaustive systematic approach of what SI elements develop LOQs among individuals. This also requires a larger, controlled study, with more validly use of measuring tools.