Global Learning Partners: Revolutionizing Learning and Transforming the World

Global Learning Partners (GLP) is a small, majority woman-owned company with a global reach. They work with organizations worldwide to integrate proven principles and practices of adult learning into all aspects of their operations. Rooted in a learning-centered approach, GLP transforms learning events into impactful experiences, whether in-person, online, or blended.

The Foundation: Dialogue Education and Jane Vella

GLP was founded on the work of Jane Vella and the Jubilee Popular Education Center in 1981. Vella's journey began in New York City, leading her to Tanzania in 1956 where she spent 25 years teaching in diverse settings. From 1968 to 1973, she taught at the Institute of Education at the University of Dar es Salaam, where she connected with influential figures like Sally Timmel and Ann Hope (developers of the Training for Transformation program), Julius Nyerere (former President of Tanzania), and Paulo Freire (advocate for democratized learning).

Returning to the US in 1977, Vella earned her doctorate in Adult Education from The University of Massachusetts at Amherst, researching Community Education for Development. In 1981, she established the Jubilee Popular Education Center, developing a series of training courses that blended her experiences in formal and participatory education. Her approach has been embraced by individuals and organizations globally.

Vella's work is grounded in a rigorous, learning-centered approach to teaching. This approach is built upon twelve principles that guide the design and facilitation of effective adult learning experiences. Her landmark book uses engaging, personal stories in a variety of adult learning settings, in different countries and with different educational purposes, to show readers how to utilize the twelve principles in their own practice with any type of adult learner, anywhere.

Today, Jane Vella is an opera enthusiast, avid reader, and enjoys hosting friends and guests.

Read also: Global Cool Scholarships

Core Beliefs and Mission

At Global Learning Partners they believe in the transformative power of learning through dialogue. Their mission is to collaborate with clients in achieving their mission by facilitating meaningful personal, professional, and organizational development. GLP aims to be a reliable and flexible partner whom clients can trust to honestly and thoughtfully assess their needs. Their vast network of certified professional trainers, facilitators and consultants have extensive grounding in how adults learn best, and clients will find that their unique needs as a learner are recognized and valued. The atmosphere they create for them is positive, safe, and responsive, so they can experience a deep engagement with their learning process.

Expertise and Services

GLP's consultants possess decades of experience in learning assessment, design, facilitation, and evaluation. They offer a range of services designed to enhance learning and development within organizations.

Meetings Re-Imagined: The Complete Package

Recognizing that many professionals lack formal training in designing effective meetings, GLP offers "Meetings Re-Imagined: The Complete Package." This hands-on course equips participants with practical tools for planning, facilitating, and leading meetings that result in clarity, decisions, and real momentum. Participants learn skills they can implement immediately with their teams.

Diversifying Voices Through Advisory Groups

GLP emphasizes the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives within organizations. They advocate for the use of advisory groups to unlock innovation, increase inclusivity, and make informed decisions. GLP provides guidance on establishing advisory groups for projects, events, or initiatives, outlining a '6-step pathway' to success.

Data-Driven Learning Strategies

GLP helps organizations leverage their data to inform learning strategies. By analyzing member data such as enrollment history, CE credits, and survey responses, leaders can gain insights into learner needs and preferences. This allows for the development of programs that align with certification requirements and career stages, leading to clearer marketing and sharper offerings. GLP offers training programs like "Putting Your Data to Work: Moving from Insight to Action" to help organizations harness the power of real-time data analysis.

Tools and Techniques

GLP utilizes various tools and techniques to enhance learning experiences. One such tool is the timeline. A group's co-created timeline can consist of achievements, milestones, and accomplishments, to kick start an event, to reflect back on history and to share hopes for the future.

Impact and Reach

For over 30 years, GLP has worked with a wide variety of clients: individuals, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and corporations around the world. The GLP team prioritizes collaboration to help us achieve our goals. They invest in relationships, customize content to meet our needs, and continuously innovate and adapt as our priorities evolve. We appreciate our deep partnership and their expertise.

Founded on the work of Jane Vella, our community of trainers, facilitators and consultants includes an international network of certified practitioners and teachers. From New York City to rural North Carolina, from Africa to South America, Jane tested and developed a proven set of principles and practices, which continue to guide us today.

Key Personnel

Philip Joseph Santos, SHRM-CP, CPTP, is an example of a professional who has benefited from GLP's training. He attended GLP's Learning-Centered Design training and successfully redesigned one of their presentations using Dialogue Education principles. Students engaged more deeply, demonstrated their learning in real time, and shared that they appreciated having multiple “safe enough” ways to participate in such a sensitive topic.

Jane Vella's Published Works

Jane Vella has authored several books that articulate her principles and practices of Dialogue Education. These include:

Read also: Comprehensive SI Guide

Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach: The Power of Dialogue in Educating Adults
How do They Know They Know?: Evaluating Adult Learning
On Teaching and Learning: Putting the Principles and Practices of Dialogue Education into Action (nominated for the 2008 Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education)

tags: #global #learning #partners #overview