Later Life Online: Narrowing the Digital Divide for Older Adults in Ireland and Across Europe
Experience and learning from the Erasmus+ TO SWITCH project multiplier event, Later Life Online: Narrowing the Digital Divide for Older Adults in Ireland and Across Europe.
Removing barriers to learning for all: GATHER with AHEAD and NALA
GATHER was a free three-day online assistive technology event run by AHEAD in partnership with AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, and the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). It took place from 22nd to 24th May, 2023.
What is “Recognition of Prior Learning” or RPL?
People learn skills and expertise in their everyday life, communities and workplaces, and can be extremely knowledgeable in an area without having formal education and training in it. An example of this is someone in a caring role with children, older people, or people with disabilities.
Reflections on the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival 2023
At the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival, we celebrate learning. This week-long festival happens every year in March, and we bring people together from all over Ireland.
This year’s Adult Learners’ Festival took place from 6th to 10th March 2023. Let’s take a look at the highlights of the week.
Lack of childcare continues to be a barrier to accessing Further Education and Training
AONTAS’ research shows that a lack of childcare is a recurrent issue for parents who have returned or hope to return to education. Here, AONTAS Research Officer Dr Laura Lovejoy reflects on the urgent need for childcare to support parents in Further Education and Training.
Lack of childcare continues to be a barrier to accessing Further Education and Training
AONTAS met with representatives of more than 20 local community learning groups based around the Northwest, in a meeting at Northwest Regional College Strand Road campus in Derry/Londonderry on Thursday 26th January. Called ‘Supporting the Sector, Supporting the Learner’, the event focused on the crucial, person-centred support that community education offers.
Supporting the Community Learning Sector: Getting together in Derry
AONTAS met with representatives of more than 20 local community learning groups based around the Northwest, in a meeting at Northwest Regional College Strand Road campus in Derry/Londonderry on Thursday 26th January. Called ‘Supporting the Sector, Supporting the Learner’, the event focused on the crucial, person-centred support that community education offers.
“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.