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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
