Making the Learning Community a Reality
The inclusion of Learning Communities as a means of tackling
educational disadvantage and mobilising demand within the Government’s Skills
Strategy, will be examined at a NIACE
conference on Wednesday 3 December 2003 held by the National Institute of
Adult Continuing Education.
Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education will
address the annual NIACE policy conference in Westminster, London, which will
explore the potential of learning communities raising aspirations and the skills
of local people.
“Ivan Lewis' passion for learning communities is shown by
their inclusion in the Skills Strategy. NIACE is really delighted that he is
able to speak at our conference to share his passion and show how the government
plans to take this initiative forward,” said Sue Cara, Director of
Programmes and Policy at NIACE.
The conference aims to reflect what can be done both locally and
regionally to promote and support learning communities and outline how the
different tiers of government contribute to develop the notion of learning
communities.
The conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to
hear about case studies from projects, which have experience of implementing
learning communities in practice.
The event will be of interest to those involved in adult
learning, lifelong learning and community development for whom the notion of
learning communities has resonance.
Top of page
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Increasingly, community and voluntary organisations are using
the services of volunteers in their Information and Communications Technology (ICT) programmes, bringing distinct benefits
not only to the organisation, but also to the volunteer and learner alike.
A new support skills resource has been written by NIACE for volunteers and
programme co-ordinators in community and voluntary organisations.
This free publication called ICT Mentors looks at the role of volunteers working as ICT
Mentors, specifically exploring:
With a view to setting up an ICT mentoring programme, this vital
resource highlights practical responsibilities such as equal opportunities and
health and safety as well as some specific considerations when working with
adults, such as learning and teaching approaches.
Containing case studies, activities and accessible advice, this
resource will form the basis of any ICT mentoring programme.
This DfES sponsored publication is available free of charge.
Paper copies can be obtained by contacting
jackie.essom@niace.org.uk
or madeleine.hyde@niace.org.uk. Electronic copies can be downloaded below.
New on the Site -
November 2003
(A list of pages which have been recently added or
updated on the NIACE website)
Conferences Section:
 | Workforce
Development - a way forward
In October 2003 the NHSU was formally launched, a new kind of
corporate university, focussing on education and training
opportunities for everyone working for or with the National Health
Service and in social care.
This conference is organised to realise the promise of this new
initiative.
[posted: 13/11/2003] |
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| E-Guides: Lead by
example
This programme of 3-day events aims to increase the use of
e-learning across the adult and community learning curriculum
through developing the skills and knowledge of E-Guides to support
colleagues in their use of technology in teaching and learning.
[posted: 13/11/2003] |
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| Learning
Journeys: Ensuring quality for adults with mental health
difficulties
The conference is for practitioners and managers who support adults
with mental health difficulties to access learning opportunities. It
aims to introduce delegates to the structure and content of 'Learning
Journeys', a new NIACE publication, and to help delegates
understand how good quality learning provision can promote positive
mental health.
[posted: 7/11/2003] |
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| Socrates Grundtvig
This seminar will provide information about how to take part in
GRUNDTVIG, the action within the SOCRATES European Education and
Training Programme which is exclusively concerned with adult
learning and is open to everyone engaged in non-formal and formal
Adult Education.
[posted: 31/10/2003] |
|
| Enabling Technology
Supporting students with learning difficulties and disabilities in
education and in life. This series of one day events aims to provide
information about the obligations of staff at all levels to meet the
requirements of students under the Disability Discrimination Act and
SENDA
[posted: 31/10/2003] |
|
| Employer Training
Pilots
The Treasury has introduced a pilot project using a variety of
incentives to encourage employers to secure lower-skilled workers to
raise their level of skills. This regional seminar will give
participants a real opportunity to discover how Employer Training
Pilots can deliver wider participation through the workplace.
[posted: 29/10/2003] |
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| Making the learning
community a reality
NIACE's annual policy conference this year aims to provide an
opportunity to think through what is meant by the notion of
“learning communities” and to reflect on what can be done both
locally and regionally to promote and support them
[posted: 27/10/2003] |
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Publications Section:
| Talking it Through
This inspiring pack states the importance of
consultation with all adults and highlights issues and challenges of
working with particular groups.
[posted: 24/11/03] |
|
| Lifelines 13:
Developing a Needs Based Library Service
Offering a synthesis of skills, experience and
knowledge, research and cutting edge good practice, this
indispensable guide offers a step-by-step approach to creating a
fully inclusive public library service.
[posted: 19/11/03] |
|
| Lifelines 12:
Museums and Community Learning
Highlighting key issues that face museum
educators, this accessible guide offers an introduction to current
government policy, the stages of setting up educational projects and
programmes, and techniques for delivery.
[posted: 19/11/03] |
|
| Lifelines 11:
Learning and Community Arts
This inspiring lifeline advises arts and
education workers how to make community arts a vibrant part of their
programmes – especially with non-traditional learners.
[posted: 19/11/03] |
|
| Lifelines
10:Working with Asian Heritage Communities
From an award-winning initiative, which resulted
in an extra 10,000 people engaging in learning, this practical guide
offers the secret of one towns success in engaging effectively with
Asian Heritage communities.
[posted: 19/11/03] |
|
| Crisis of Opportunity
This book traces the development of the
principles and practice which inspired an attempt to influence the
1944 Education Act. The author argues that the failure to transform
the politics of education at that critical moment has had a lasting
effect on society and politics in Britain today.
[posted: 19/11/03] |
|
| The Regeneration
Game
Endorsed by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, this
exciting resource offers a refreshingly different approach to
achieving proper collaboration between diverse groups of people.
[posted: 19/11/03] |
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| ICT - the new basic
skill
This publication looks at what ICT is, the skills
associated with it and the different areas where ICT is making an
impact.
[posted: 2/10/03] |
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Campaigns & Promotions
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| Grants from ESF
for Adult Learners’ Week 2004
If you’re organising an activity or publicity
material for Adult Learners’ Week (15-21 May 2004) you can apply
for a European Social Fund (ESF) grant of up to £1,000 to help
fund it. Application forms are available now. Closing Date 13
February 2004.
[posted: 16/10/03] |
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| Media Training
Workshops
These workshops are ideal for people who have a
direct responsibility for promoting learning in their communities
using the media and devising promotional campaigns and who may not
have had any formal training in media relations.
[posted: 6/10/03] |
|
| Media Training
Workshops
These workshops are ideal for people who have a
direct responsibility for promoting learning in their communities
using the media and devising promotional campaigns and who may not
have had any formal training in media relations.
[posted: 6/10/03] |
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Projects / Research
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| ICT Mentors
A new support skills resource for volunteers and
programme co-ordinators in community and voluntary organisations.
This publication is free.
[Posted: 14/10/03] |
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|
|
| Recruiting and
Training: Basic Skills Teaching Training
The Government’s Skills for Life strategy
has sparked huge interest and activity in basic skills. The response
from new learners has led to a need for more teachers. The aim of
this project is to recruit new basic skills teachers in 3 regions.
[Posted: 09/10/03] |
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| Managing
Better
New dates for the next round of training have
been announced for this exciting and innovative management training
programme for ACL managers developed by NIACE in partnership with
FPM.
[Posted: 19/09/03] |
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| Overcoming
Social Exclusion through online learning
This project is being funded by the Community
Fund for the period 2002 - 2005.The project will investigate the
potential of online learning to overcome some of the barriers that
socially or economically disadvantaged adults encounter to access
learning. Online learning is a very new development in education and
has been identified by the Government and many educational
practitioners as having the potential to overcome social exclusion.
[posted: 17/09/03] |
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Influencing Public Policy / Advocacy
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21st Century Skills: Realising our potential
NIACE's Final response to the government skills strategy
21st Century Skills: realising our potential. This replaces
our initial response published earlier in the year.
[posted: 31/10/03] |
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|
The Parenting Fund
A NIACE Response to HM Treasury and the Department for Education
and Skills’ Consultation on the Parenting Fund
[posted: 5/11/03] |
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Learning Partnerships Review 2003
Learning Partnerships Review 2003: Consultation
Questions from the Steering Group arising from the NIACE Review
Report
[posted: 26/09/03] |
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Information Services
Miscellaneous
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