For those working closely with and on behalf of adult learners, especially within a community education setting, it is well understood that disadvantaged learners face additional and specific barriers already deeply rooted in inequality.
Clearly defining their needs and implementing appropriate adequate supports are therefore fundamental priorities in coordinating the adult and community education sector’s collective response to the Covid-19 emergency.
AONTAS is playing its role to mitigate further disadvantage faced by learners through its participation in the newly formed Department of Education and Skills COVID-19 Tertiary Education Steering Group.
The first Discussion Paper on learner/student engagement provides an invaluable resource to those working to support equality and safeguard the needs of disadvantaged students and learners during this difficult time. As a set of principles and guidelines for best practice the following important areas are covered:
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Methods of Communication
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Timeframe and Number of Contacts Made
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A Step-by-Step Guide to Communication
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Do's and Don'ts
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Longer-term engagement
The key recommendations are:
Immediate and continued contact must be in place with resources and policies developed to support staff engaging learners.
It is not “business as usual”, frequency of contact, as appropriate, is important to maintain connection.
Where possible institutions should facilitate co-operation and communication between staff members to pool information on learners’ needs.
Communications and outreach are a vital part of the actions needed to address the impact of Covid-19 and mitigate further educational disadvantage.
Action Plan for Disengagement: If a learner has stopped responding to their tutors a plan with suitable responses and supports should be in place.
Every day AONTAS is listening to its members and to learners across the country so their voices can be heard and are raised to decision makers at the highest levels of government. For more information on this work visit Click Here
To contact AONTAS about the challenges you are facing in terms of provision and learning please email mail@aontas.com or Freephone 1800 303669.
[1] i MED Working Group Members (The papers does not reflect the views of all members or their institutions):
Niamh O’Reilly AONTAS (Chair), Dr Leah Dowdall AONTAS (Secretary), USI, ETBI/CDETB, HEA, Dearbháil Lawless AONTAS, Dr Eve Cobain AONTAS, NALA, TU Dublin, DES, SOLAS, AHEAD, THEA, QQI, Pavee Point, NFETL, Longford Women’s Link, SHEP/Cork Community Education Network, UCD, Maynooth University, Dr Michael Hallisey, Professor Tom Collins, Dr Fergal Finnegan
Addtional Information
AONTAS Membership and Engagement Update Weekly Webinars
Click here for more information on these weekly webinars with the AONTAS CEO. These webinars are open to members only. Further information on AONTAS membership is available here.
Outputs from the Mitigating Educational Disadvantage Working Group
