This month AONTAS Membership and Engagement Webinars included: Community Education in a Time of COVID-19:CEN Census 2020, AONTAS Consultation on National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education and we heard from STAR Award Winners, My Blossom Channel.
Details and videos can be found below. If there is a topic you would like to see covered please contact Barry Dolan, AONTAS Communications and Membership Officer at: bdolan@aontas.com
AONTAS continues to create opportunities for our members to engage and learn each week as part of our very successful AONTAS Membership and Engagement Webinars. The webinars, hosted by AONTAS staff focus on different topics each week in a supportive environment. Topics are guided by our members and so far have included;
Date: 5th May 2021
Number attended: 50
AONTAS invited all community education organisations to join us to take part in a dialogue on the findings from the CEN Census 2020. At the event, AONTAS Research Officers Dr Eve Cobain and Dr Akisato Suzuki shared key findings on the profile of the sector in 2019/20 and the impact of COVID-19. The report captures examples of challenges faced by providers and learners, and the importance of support networks at a local level.
This event provided space for discussion, and room for groups to reflect on the findings, as we build toward the launch event in June and wider dissemination of the report.
For more information please contact AONTAS Research Officer, Eve Cobain: ecobain@aontas.com.
Watch the presentation now: https://youtu.be/7ct3BZouSWQ
Date:19th May 2021
Number attended: 20
AONTAS Head of Advocacy, Dearbháil Lawless hosted this interesting and interactive session.
The new National Access Plan is being developed this year and will impact upon the opportunities, resources, and experience learners have in accessing higher education. The plan will identify target groups, goals, resources and specific initiatives from 2022-2026. The vision of the current National Access Plan (NAP) is to ensure that the student body entering into, participating in and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland's population. You can find a copy of it here and the current consultation paper here.
Watch the presentation now: https://youtu.be/8jU9DVm_yfU
Date: 26th April 2021
Number attended: 22
In this AONTAS Membership and Engagement Webinar, we hear from 2021 AONTAS STAR Award Winner My Blossom Channel.
Imelda Fitzpatrick, Programme Director and Maja Trninic, Education Program Coordinator with Blossom Ireland deliver an informative session suitable for educators on how Blossom Ireland and their team have managed during COVID-19.
Blossom Ireland are this years’ winners of the STAR Award for Mitigating Against Education Disadvantage through Innovation (during COVID-19) and they shared with us the activities that have helped their learners who are young people with intellectual disabilities during this challenging time.
As always the webinar brings participants together in breakout rooms to discuss the presentation and look at challenges and opportunities in adult education.
Watch the presentation now: https://youtu.be/Stbd3ZJcRcM
AONTAS Membership Update and Engagement Webinars are open to all our members. For information on AONTAS membership and upcoming member webinars, please contact Barry Dolan, AONTAS Communications and Membership Officer at: bdolan@aontas.com.