OST training and "certification"

[Lisa Heft]

Always a good conversation, this one.

My experience is that some people can learn from the book, others best  
learn experientially (doing and being, and by interacting with  
others), others learn through the sharing and telling of stories, and  
so on.
Some of our ways of 'teaching' Open Space involve all of these.
Some of our workshops focus specifically on the inner work of holding  
space, some of us teach the logistics and 'nuts-and-bolts', some  
explore elements of invitation and inclusion, some do not.

Just like anything you may be interested in spending some money on -  
it's a great thing to investigate - to find out if the contents and  
workshop style fit one's needs, expectations, desired outcomes and  
learning styles.

I figure it's all good if the learner wants to do it, if it is made  
accessible to the learner, and if nobody implies that you need to go  
to anybody's training in order to be able to do Open Space.

I myself do not call it a training except when using that universally- 
understood word will best communicate.  I call my workshops Open Space  
Learning Workshops - because we are always learning, from one another.

I feel that -implying- that one needs to earn a certificate in order  
to be able to do Open Space reduces universal access and inclusion.
It would mean that you have to get somewhere specific, pay something  
specific and somehow be measured or approved or complete something in  
order to facilitate Open Space.

However I have found that in some cultures and countries people really  
need to show official-looking paperwork and documentation.  In those  
cases, upon request, I will create a custom-made certificate for  
someone with whatever they feel is useful on there.  More like a  
certificate of having taken a course than a certificate of mastery,  
for example. Because I feel that Open Space - like life - is lifelong  
learning - learning from each other at all levels rather than a  
'mastery' situation.

I also feel strongly that anyone who wishes to come to a workshop to  
learn Open Space should be able to, regardless of level of income -  
it's the access thing.
So for my own workshops I offer several levels of pricing including a  
pay-whatever-is-the-most-that-you-can price set by the learner.  I  
also locate the workshops where there are public transit options,  
super-low-cost accommodation, and more - so learners with lower  
financial abilities can feel as much ease coming to a learning  
experience as the others.

What do others do?

Lisa


Lisa Heft
Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
Opening Space
lisaheft at openingspace.net
www.openingspace.net

Ask me about the Open Space Learning Workshops - October 15-18, 2010 -  
Medellin, Colombia and December 15-17, 2010 - San Francisco



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