Technology
and socio-tech: The FAQs

We created qomenius for "discourse learning" in small groups - because this type of learning is not only extremely stimulating, but also particularly effective. In qomenius sessions, learning always takes place in conversation within a group of 4, 5 or 6 people. Learning sessions usually take place online, so that all group members are dialed into a web conferencing session with their computers. Alternatively, learning group members can also sit around a single table with their laptops - without using web conferencing.

In principle, qomenius learning modules can be developed and used in any language. Currently, our catalog of learning modules includes content in six different languages, including English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Korean. Learning modules in Japanese and Arabic are in preparation. Of course, for a session to work within a given small group, all participants in the group must speak a common language. Different languages can be used in different learning groups (Circles). In larger companies, it is quite normal that qomenius sessions will take place in at least two, often more different languages.

In the qomenius approach, joint learning takes place within 90-minute "sessions". We call a set of 4 or 5 sessions with different topics and content a "cycle" - i.e. a cycle of learning for a single group. So, within each Cycle, 4 or 5 different topics of a particular theme are worked on, e.g. "Change" or "The Project Team."

A module is a learning document for conducting a single, 90-minute qomenius learning session. Each qomenius module has a different topic, which participants explore together in conversation – in discourse. In the module, learning content and didactics are merged - this is where content meets learning method, so to speak. Our learning catalog already includes dozens of modules. Eventually, there will be hundreds. Our clients can also produce modules with their own learning content, in principle, once they have qualified in the nuts and bolts of our method.

A Circle is a small group of four to six people who learn together. In an organization there can be any number of Circles or small group learning.

The very short answer to this question is: 90 minutes is neither too short nor too long – for a small group of four to six people to get to the bottom of concepts, content and problems, in conversation with each other. The somewhat longer answer is: Ninety minutes allows a small group to first "warm up" to each other in a well-paced conversation, then to discuss a particular topic with good depth and enough time for arguments, and then finally to conclude the joint session, together. At the same time, 90 minutes is not "too long" a duration either: A 90-minute time slot is still relatively easy to find. You don't need to take a break within a period 90 minutes. But it is enough time to seriously deal with the content of a session and with each other. That's why it’s 90 minutes – not 60 or 120.

Learning in a small group of four to six people fulfills a number of requirements that are important for stimulating, intensive and effective discourse learning. In a group of four, five, or six, everyone can have their say in each session. Such a learning group is diverse - but not too large. It is still small - there is already some "diversity." Such a small group still finds it relatively easy to schedule learning sessions together. Such a learning group can develop "high social density" and commitment with each other. In short, learning in small groups of four to six people is the most fun. By the way: Five people is probably the very best group size for qomenius Circles.

No, there is no need for a facilitator. All qomenius modules are designed in such a way that the learning groups do not need a facilitator at all. Therefore, no participant needs to slip into a facilitator role. Our system takes care of the time-keeping, too. The learning groups quickly find a common and self-organized way of running the sessions together.

Sure. The easiest and fastest access is via our two Taster30 offers. Create an account, invite two to five colleagues and complete a short learning session of 30 minutes together. This will give you a pretty good idea of how qomenius learning sessions work. We also offer those seriously interested the opportunity to complete a selected “full” qomenius learning session of 90 minutes. We choose a suitable learning session in consultation with you and set it up for you. Get in touch with us.

The focus of qomenius Nano and qomenius Ninety is different. With qomenius Nano, everything revolves around the individual team. In short, it's about team development. Each of our 10 Nanos to date offers a solution to a specific challenge in team work. qomenius Ninety, on the other hand, is all about organizations, organizational units, or larger groups within an organization that want to develop together. So qomenius Ninety is about development issues in larger groups or about "organizational development". By the way: A Cycle in Nano comprises four sessions, a Cycle in Ninety always comprises five sessions.

qomenius Nano learning sessions are designed for groups of 4 to 6 people. This group size ensures lively interaction through different perspectives as well as a personal atmosphere among the small group.

Reading aloud is an old and very established cultural technique that ensures that the group gets in sync and finds a common pace of interacting and learning. Reading aloud increases the intensity of the absorption of content: Through hearing and seeing, the receptivity among the participants is strengthened. And simultaneity is created in the group, which promotes joint focus during the 90-minute sessions.

Yes, that is possible. We call these formats qomenius Pop-up. This format requires appropriate preparation to ensure that the 90-minute qomenius session can be embedded in a virtual event most effectively. We are happy to assist you with this.

Yes, in a corporate account, one or more administrators can administer the acquired qomenius learning offers themselves.

Yes, this is possible. In cases where all learners are in one place, it is advisable to conduct the learning sessions with laptops around a joint table. In these cases, the video conferencing can be dispensed with. Apart from this, qomenius learning sessions around a table are run in exactly the same way as in the virtual form with video conferencing.

No, every session or module in a cycle is on a different topic. In a Cycle, a learning group never repeats the same session. A Cycle consists of five sessions in qomenius Ninety and four sessions in qomenius Nano. This means that there are always five or four different topics discussed during a Cycle of learning. In each 90-minute session of a Cycle, a different topic is covered – a new learning module is worked through together.

At qomenius, participant learning always takes place in live sessions and within small groups of four to six people. This means that participants do not study or "cram" content individually. Instead, a small group of people discuss the content together, in live discourse, i.e., in dialog with one another. This is no small difference. It has significant implications for the so-called "instructional design", for the type of interventions used in qomenius, and generally for the preparation of content. Due to the unique didactics or learning method, the learning experience in qomenius is very lively, intensive and highly "social". To make this work, the learning content in qomenius is always carefully curated and arranged in a way that each 90-minute learning session "rocks" for each learning group. Unlike learning platforms like Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, qomenius is explicitly not designed for individual studying, but for small-group learning.

The reason why we cannot serve all countries via our online store is exclusively fiscal. Through the web shop, we serve all countries of the European Union, countries that work with the reverse charge procedure, or in which digital services are tax-exempt. If you cannot order through the online store, just send us a message. In many cases we will find another way to deliver to you.

qomenius Nano offerings are designed for teams. They can be used autonomously by teams for their own team development. The web shop is a helpful way through which get started with learning in a simple and easy way. Other qomenius offers, on the other hand, need a well-prepared setting, and authorization, in order to address the topics involved. This kind of setting requires some preparation, which our web shop cannot cover.