“Together in the Telling”: The AONTAS “Learners As Leaders” Programme for Autumn 2022
Sharing the stories about how and why someone decided to do a course or a class, and the impact it has had on their lives, can be very inspirational and encouraging to others. People who have returned to learning can become “leaders” in their local communities, and show others that going back to education can be lifechanging.
A look back at the “Imagining Adult Education: Theory into Practice” Webinar Series
Since the rapid switch to online work and education, there has been an explosion of online learning opportunities. Every week, across all levels of the education sector, there are different online workshops and webinars. Towards this end of 2022, with this in mind, we asked our members in the community and adult education sector what type of webinars and which topics really motivate them to sign up and log on.
On the Road with the Community Education Network: Matt Talbot Community Trust
Amy Gibney, our Community Education Officer, is visiting Community Education Network (CEN) members across the country to share why community education is so important and how AONTAS can best support our members to continue their great work.
Commonality and Community: A Shared Vision of Adult and Community Education across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
We’re gathering evidence of the value and impact of adult and community education in Northern Ireland.
A common thread bringing together adult and community education groups across Northern Ireland and the Republic is the desire to create more opportunities and choices for everyone, regardless of their experience or economic background.
EU Travels Series: Education for Democracy, Empowerment for Political Participation
Earlier this autumn, I travelled to Caserta in southern Italy for a meeting of the Erasmus+ BEEP Project. The BEEP (Basic Education and Empowerment for Political Participation) project looks at political participation for people who are excluded from democratic processes. This could be because of their legal status, their qualifications and skills, or due to a feeling of alienation in politics.
Supporting Learners’ Voices in Irish Education and Training Boards: The FET Learners as Leaders Programme
By Kalianne Farren, AONTAS Research Officer
How can we have a better, fairer adult education system?
At AONTAS, we’re helping adults who have gone back to education speak up about their experiences. Adult learners are the best experts in what works and what should be improved in adult education. Listening to them and working with them can make learning better for everyone.
Empowering Learners across Ireland The AONTAS “Learners As Leaders” Programme
When people share their stories about returning to learning, people empathise, they listen, and sometimes they get inspired.
How can we empower people to share their experiences?
Mental health supports are in place for FET learners, but more work remains to be done
AONTAS research has found a lack of information on mental health supports for Further Education and Training (FET) learners and a disparity in the provision of psychological counselling across programmes. Here, AONTAS Research Officer Dr Laura Lovejoy considers the implications of our most recent findings for learner mental health.
EU Travels: Adult Learning Policy and Action in Larissa Bucks the Trend
Last month, Ecem Akarca and Conor Thompson from the AONTAS Advocacy Team travelled to Greece with Marissa Hebron from Longford Women’s Link. This study visit was part of the RegALE Erasmus+ Project. Ecem, Marissa and Conor learned about Greek approaches to adult and community education.
EU Travels: “One of the most multicultural cities in the world and an ideal setting to share best practice with Adult Education professionals from Europe and beyond”
Kalianne Farren, AONTAS Research Officer for Learner Voice, travels to Brussels to attend the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) Younger Staff Training.