Benchmark – Participatory Learning and Action Tools
Participatory learning and action (PLA) tools are used to engage communities in a process of shared decision-making around their strengths and assets. Action steps are often identified by the group to make social, economic, or environmental changes in their community.
Part 1: Select and practice one of the following participatory learning and action tools:
- Community asset map
- Holistic worldview analysis
- Appreciative inquiry interview
- Problem tree analysis (also called diagramming)
- Photovoice
Guides on how to facilitate the tools are described in the community engagement and PLA resources in the topic Resources. Identify an individual or group of individuals with whom you are currently working as part of your job, service, volunteerism, or family. Review the selected tool and become familiar with the process and purpose of the tool prior to facilitating it with your selected individual or group.
Part 2: In a 1,000-1,250-word essay, discuss the following:
- What tool did you select and why did you select it instead of the other options?
- What cultural insight did you learn based on the individual or group you selected? Include a brief description of the individual or group you engaged for this
assignment. - What challenges did you identify in facilitating the tool?
- Discuss how the participants responded to the tool regarding their participation and shared decision-making. Consider how PLA tools are focused on building the
capacity of people versus projects or programs. - A Health in All Policies approach, which include economic and environmental factors, is important in addressing the interconnectedness of health factors to support holistic transformation. Discuss how this community engagement approach through such a tool is useful for assessing a Health in All Policies approach. In addition, consider how this approach is effective in reducing health disparities by addressing economic and environmental issues through community mobilization and assets. Review the APHA’s “Health in All Policies” website (and the PDF, “An Introduction to Health in All Policies: A Guide for State and Local Governments”) and WHO’s “What You Need to Know About Health in All Policies,” located in the Topic 5 Resources, for additional insight.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
How to Answer the Benchmark: Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) Tools Assignment
The Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) Tools benchmark evaluates your ability to engage a community or group, apply a participatory tool, and critically reflect on how shared decision-making can reduce health disparities through a Health in All Policies (HiAP) lens.
This is not just a theory paper. You are graded on real-world engagement, reflection, and application, so clarity, structure, and lived experience matter.
Assignment Overview (Read First)
You must:
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Select one PLA tool and facilitate it with a real individual or group
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Write a 1,000–1,250-word essay
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Explain why you chose the tool
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Reflect on cultural insights and challenges
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Analyze participant engagement and shared decision-making
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Apply a Health in All Policies (HiAP) framework
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Use APA formatting
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Submit through LopesWrite
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Follow the rubric carefully
The focus is on community capacity-building, not top-down program design.
Part 1: Selecting and Practicing a PLA Tool
Step 1: Choose the Right PLA Tool
You may choose one of the following:
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Community asset map
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Holistic worldview analysis
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Appreciative inquiry interview
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Problem tree analysis
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Photovoice
Tip: Choose a tool that fits:
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Your comfort level
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The time you have
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The group you can realistically engage
Common student-friendly choices:
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Community Asset Map – easiest to explain and reflect on
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Appreciative Inquiry Interview – works well with one or two people
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Problem Tree Analysis – great for structured discussion of challenges
Step 2: Identify the Individual or Group
Clearly describe:
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Who you engaged (coworkers, patients, family members, community group, volunteers)
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The setting (workplace, home, community center, virtual)
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Why this group was appropriate for the tool
You do not need a large group. A small, meaningful interaction is acceptable if well explained.
Part 2: Writing the Essay (1,000–1,250 Words)
Use the following structure to stay aligned with the rubric.
1. Introduction (100–150 words)
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Briefly introduce PLA tools and their purpose
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State which tool you selected
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Identify the group or individual you worked with
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Briefly outline what the paper will discuss
2. Tool Selection and Rationale (150–200 words)
Answer:
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Which PLA tool did you select?
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Why did you choose it instead of the others?
Include:
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Strengths of your chosen tool
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Why it was appropriate for your group
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Why other tools were less suitable in this context
3. Description of the Group and Cultural Insights (200–250 words)
Discuss:
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The background of the individual or group
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Cultural, social, or environmental factors that shaped their perspectives
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New insights you gained through the tool
Focus on learning, not judgment.
4. Challenges in Facilitating the Tool (150–200 words)
Identify challenges such as:
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Time constraints
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Participant hesitation or power dynamics
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Language or literacy barriers
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Difficulty shifting from problem-focused to strengths-based thinking
Explain how these challenges affected the process.
5. Participant Response and Shared Decision-Making (200–250 words)
Discuss:
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How participants engaged with the tool
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Whether they felt empowered to share ideas
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How decision-making shifted from facilitator-led to participant-led
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How the tool focused on building people’s capacity, not programs
This section is critical for scoring well.
6. Health in All Policies (HiAP) Application (200–250 words)
Using insights from:
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APHA’s Health in All Policies resources
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WHO’s Health in All Policies guidance
Explain:
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How PLA tools help assess health beyond healthcare
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Connections between health, housing, employment, environment, and education
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How community assets and mobilization reduce health disparities
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Why HiAP is effective when communities are involved in decision-making
Tie HiAP directly to your chosen tool and group experience.
7. Conclusion (100–150 words)
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Summarize key takeaways
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Reflect on the value of PLA tools in community engagement
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Reinforce the importance of shared decision-making for equitable health outcomes
APA Style and LopesWrite Tips
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Use current scholarly sources (within 5 years)
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Cite APHA and WHO materials properly
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Paraphrase carefully to avoid similarity issues
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Do not over-quote policy documents
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Writing only about theory without real engagement
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Failing to explain why the tool was chosen
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Weak connection to Health in All Policies
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Ignoring economic and environmental factors
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Going under or over the word count
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High LopesWrite similarity due to copied policy language
Time Reality Check
To do this well, you need time to:
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Facilitate the tool
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Reflect thoughtfully
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Connect practice to theory
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Integrate HiAP concepts clearly
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Format and proofread
For working students, this assignment often becomes stressful close to the deadline.
Need Help With the Participatory Learning and Action Tools Assignment?
If you’re short on time or want to be sure your paper meets the rubric, support is available:
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Help selecting the best PLA tool for your situation -
Clear essay structure aligned with grading criteria
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Strong reflection and cultural insight development
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Clear application of Health in All Policies (HiAP)
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APA formatting and source integration
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Original, LopesWrite-safe writing
Send your assignment instructions, selected tool, and deadline, and we’ll let you know quickly how we can help you complete this assignment with confidence.
