Launch of The Irish Journal of Adult and Community Education: The Adult Learner, 2020
On Wednesday, 23rd September, over 80 participants gathered online to celebrate the launch of the 34th issue of The Adult Learner journal. Since 1985, it has been the only peer-review journal focused on adult, community and further education in Ireland. This special edition brought together a range of perspectives on adult learning to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of the English language version of Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed.
AONTAS members lead the way in tackling poverty and social exclusion via partnership and collaboration
Each Wednesday, AONTAS members meet for a membership update and engagement webinar. This blog post shares some key takeaway points from our 20th webinar in which Clare Local Development Company, an AONTAS member organisation, shared a presentation highlighting SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) in Co Clare. Their input focussed on how they have continued to deliver their courses with a learner centred approach despite the COVID-19 restrictions, and showcased collaboration in their community.
Black Lives Matter and Anti-Racism: What can you do?
On Thursday, 20th August, AONTAS and EPALE came together to host an online workshop on why Black Lives Matter still matters, and why it matters in Ireland in 2020. The workshop was delivered as part of the ‘Adult and Community Education: Supported Learner Pathways 2020-2021’ project under the European Agenda for Adult Learning (EAAL), funded by SOLAS and the European Commission.
Recruiting Learners in a Time of COVID-19
Part of AONTAS’ communications with members since the move to remote working includes a weekly membership update and engagement webinar. This offers a space for shared learning and regular feedback. This blog post shares some takeaway points from our 19th membership webinar on the use of social media for course promotion and the recruitment of learners.
AONTAS Community Education Network (CEN) Survey 2020
The 17th online instalment centred on the results from the recent survey of AONTAS Community Education Network members as they prepare for a return to work and learning next month.
The Adult Education Guidance Services – Free, Local, Impartial and Confidential
At last week’s Weekly Membership Webinar Mary Stokes, Guidance Programme Coordinator for Further Education and Training (FET) from the National Centre for Guidance in Education, gave a presentation about guidance provision for adults and the role played by Adult Education Guidance Services in local communities across Ireland.
AONTAS Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2020
On 29th July, AONTAS held its 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in a hybrid format; both online via Zoom and with AONTAS staff and board members present at our office in Dublin. This marked the first time in AONTAS’ history that the AGM did not take place fully in person. Over 60 attendees were present at the online AGM, including representatives from Education and Training Boards (ETBs), community education organisations, and adult learners.
Growing Evidence Base of Widening Inequalities During COVID-19 for Learners across Ireland
AONTAS Research Officer, Dr Eve Cobain, attended the launch of Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report on “The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for policy in relation to children and young people” published on 22nd July. In our latest blog Eve draws comparisons between the ESRI report and AONTAS’ recent publications on the impact of COVID-19 on adult learners, including the “AONTAS COVID-19 Further Education and Training (FET) Learner Report
Mental Health Ireland: AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinar
AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinar 16 (featuring a contribution from Mental Health Ireland)
The Code Institute: AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinar
AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinar 15 (featuring a contribution from AONTAS member The Code Institute),