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Say What You Like![Podcasts] [Order Form] [Evaluation Form] The CampaignWhat are the barriers and triggers to learning? That’s the question NIACE is asking as part of a major project funded through the Skills for Life Strategy Unit which aims to investigate why and how adults are motivated to learn. |
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NIACE was given six months to make contact with a wide range of providers and front-line practitioners, and to seek out the expertise and knowledge of existing learners who know from their own experience about the difficulties and triumphs involved.
Because we wanted learners to speak freely, and in their own words, we called the project Say what you like!
Aim of the Campaign
To identify the triggers and barriers that adults face in learning particularly in entering Skills for Life courses.
“People like me (who are dyslexic) don’t come ‘cause of the stigma most of the time … I tried for years to do it … over the years attitudes towards people like me have changed … Now that I can come here to get help it is absolutely brilliant”. (Jane, Leicester)
NIACE collected evidence through direct contact with learners. Researchers hosted lively focus groups in 9 English regions and invited the learners to tell us about their experiences.
Through interactive discussions we encouraged people to tell us what they like about what they are learning and what has made the difference.
“ It’s like freeing your mind. It’s like opening up doors. It is a new experience.” (Kim, Coventry)
The Findings
The final research report contains information gathered from the 256 learners we talked to in the 27 focus groups, it includes:
 | Context and background to the Skills for Life strategy; |
| What is already known about barriers to participation and learning; |
| Action-research methods used and the things that learners told us about their experiences. |
The other publications associated with the report – OK here
goes, Hang on in there, and Go for it! – are packed with learners’
testimonies, sometimes recorded in conversation with researchers and tutors or
written in their own words in response to lively classroom discussions. A
learner-focused DVD to accompany the campaign is also available, it aims to give
potential adult learners a taste of what it's really like to take part in
learning.
“I come to the Adult Education Centre because of how it makes me feel. I have moved from having low self esteem, making excuses for myself regarding writing, spelling and all-over-confidence, to someone who chairs meetings regularly. I soak up everything around me, look at everything in a new light and from a different point of view. I now try spelling and with some success. If I see something lovely, like a frosty morning for example, I go and write a poem about it.” (Ginny Spence.)
The publications identify many of the barriers we know learners have to face, and the ways in which they have responded to them. Their words will inspire providers and practitioners to try harder, and new learners to follow in their footsteps.
You can use the publications and the DVD to:
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Attract new learners at open day events; |
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Encourage existing learners to become 'learning champions"; |
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Use the icebreakers and classroom discussion ideas with your learners; |
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Encourage your students to write about their learning experiences to share with others; |
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Spread the word about the benefits of adult learning. |
Podcasts
The podcasts below are MP3 files, each with a size of 3 MB. To listen to a podcast, click on it's link. If it doesn't start to play, right click on the link, save the file onto your computer and then play it back through you usual media player.
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Listen to podcast 1 |
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Transcript of podcast 1 coming soon |
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Listen to podast 2 |
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Transcript of podcast 2 coming soon |
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Listen to podast 3 |
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Transcript of podcast 3 coming soon |
Tell us what you thought
We would be grateful if you could spare a few moments to tell us what you thought about this campaign. We value your feedback and we your comments will help us to deliver future campaigns.
Contact
Order free sets of the publications and the DVD here
If you have any feedback on this campaign or any learner stories you you’d like to share with us, please contact:
Claire Woodward
Say what you like!
Campaigns & Promotions
NIACE
Renaissance House
20 Princess Road West
Leicester
LE1 6TP
0116 204 6432
