Issue No. 24 June 2013

EXPLOREThe quarterly magazine from AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation

In this issue: • Building the new Further Education and Training Service • Hitting the Literacy Trail with Co. Waterford VEC • Design your own Degree – the ALBA at All Hallows • Adult Education in a time of crisis

AONTAS: The Voice of Adult Learning Explore

Note from the Editor List of Contents Page Hello and welcome to this issue of Explore! AONTAS News 3 This issue of Explore focuses on three key themes – policy, practice and promotion. In the policy arena we Adult Education News 4 look at developments both nationally and internationally News from Europe 5 and their implications for the new structures and strate- gies we are creating. In her opening article Berni Brady Opening Lines 6 writes about the main national developments in the Berni Brady reviews progress as the new establishment of SOLAS and the Education and Training Further Education and Training Service takes Boards. Over the past few months AONTAS has organ- shape, and outlines AONTAS priorities in the ised a strong campaign in response to the draft Further legislation and strategy Education and Training (SOLAS) Bill and she outlines prog- Members News ress and impact of this campaign to date. Meanwhile, at Design your own Degree 9 European level Dr Brid Connolly looks at the role of adult Niamh Farren meets staff and learners from learning in a time of crisis as a building block for a ‘learn- the ALBA Programme – a bespoke degree in ing society’ which has the capacity to reap benefits for adult learning offered by All Hallows College generations to come. On the Literacy Trail with Co. Waterford VEC 13 We feature two examples of practice in this issue – By Margaret Howard, ALO, Co. Waterford VEC Margaret Howard from Co. Waterford VEC explains the ‘literacy trail’ which was used very effectively during the Focus on: European Crisis 15 From Trojan Horse to New Ethics Waterford Lifelong Learning Festival as a creative way Dr Brid Connolly from NUI Maynooth of engaging adults to develop their interest in literacy. considers the position of adult learning Meanwhile All Hallows College has pioneered a degree during a national and European wide recession which adult learners can design themselves from the outset. The ALBA is an example of how a third level quali- Adult Learners’ Festival 2013 17 fication can be tailormade to meet the particular needs Star Awards 2013 Kathryn Laing takes a look at this year’s of adult learners, from recognising their prior learning, to Award winners providing a modular approach to gaining credits. We take a look back at this year's Adult Learners’ Festival around the Country 20 Festival. Over four hundred events took place, organised Festival events in the words of event organisers by VECs, libraries, Family Resource Centres and voluntary Inspiring Adult Learners 27 organisations. The Festival generates a huge amount of These editions inspiring learner is Patrick Duffy publicity, particularly through local media. Kathryn Laing from All Hallows College writes about the five winners of this year’s STAR Awards. Front cover photos: L-R (1) Students and staff at Laois VEC Adult We also join forces with the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone Learning Centre produced a short promotional video which was to offer AONTAS members a prize of a midweek two launched on youtube two weeks before the 2013 Festival began night’s bed and breakfast plus one dinner. To be in with (2) AONTAS Lobby for Learning Day 2013 “Community education: a strategy for success” Berni Brady, AONTAS Director; Minister a chance to win just tell us what major Irish river runs Ciaran Cannon TD, Minister for Training and Skills; Ms Fiona through the town of Athlone. Send your answer via email Hartley, Executive Director (Designate), SOLAS (3) Adult Learners to Mairead, [email protected], or by post to AONTAS, Festival 2013 – Leinster STAR awards winners “On The Edge – The 83-87 Main Street Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Entries are due in Chair Project”. by Friday June 28th. ISSN 1649-8259 ISSN Until next time, Explore offers discount advertising rates to all community and voluntary groups. To find out more about advertising in future Niamh Farren, issues, contact Niamh Farren, Communications Officer, AONTAS,

© AONTAS 2013 AONTAS © Communications Officer, AONTAS Tel: 01 406 8220, email: [email protected].

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the conference was to explore how qualifications QQI opens frameworks and quality assurance arrangements can best work together at national and European consultation process level, supporting the modernisation of education Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) recently and training systems and reducing impediments opened a consultation process to hear stakeholder to efficiency, diversity, mobility and inclusion. The views on policy. QQI will hold events and formal conference was attended by some 150 delegates consultation sessions, but will also use its website from over 40 countries by invitation of the relevant www.qqi.ie to gather stakeholder views. Two Education and Training Ministries. consultation events took place during the month of For more information about the consultation and the May, one in Dublin and one in Cork. Documents are recent conference, visit www.qqi.ie. also available online and you are invited to feedback through a dedicated email address. QQI also recently hosted a European Presidency Conference on the theme of Quality Assurance and Qualifications Frameworks. The main aim of

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3 Explore Adult Education News

Community Education Network News The Community Education Network comprises over 140 independently managed community education organisations which work to increase recognition of community education, raise its profile and lobby for adequate resources. The network meets 3-4 times per year, and members are circulated with frequent updates via email. Recent meetings focused on the implications of the changes taking place in the Further Education and Training sector. Key areas include the development of SOLAS and the ETBs. Other areas of importance include changes in the Back to Education Initiative Community education providers meet with members of the FÁS/ and the structure of accreditation via QQI. Providers SOLAS team are concerned that the changes make the future of and the wider community. By doing this, it must be community education insecure and they are seek- recognised as an essential element of the future ing the specific naming of community education Further Education and Training Service in Ireland. At a within the legislation and strategy, and the ringfenc- recent meeting with Community Education Providers, ing of resources for it. The network is also involved in Minister Ciaran Cannon said that community educa- enhancing its capacity to measure the outcomes of tion ‘would be at the heart of the new FET services.’ community education, thus clearly demonstrating its Including community education providers within the value in both economic and social terms. legislation, would indicate genuine commitment to Community education offers adults real opportuni- do same. ties for education in a positive supportive environ- For further information, check out the Community ment. Working with some of the most marginalised Education Network part of the AONTAS website or people in society, it enables people to make positive contact the co-ordinator Sara Bourke at changes which benefit themselves, their families [email protected] or at the AONTAS office.

AONTAS AGM – service, namely the Education and members to consider the implica- Training Boards. tions of the development of the new structures on their own work. Putting the Learner The Education and Training Boards at the heart of the Bill is expected to be enacted in Elections also took place at the new Education and the near future, and will formally AGM. Newly elected committee establish 16 Education and Training members include: Crona Gallagher Training Service Boards to replace the existing VECs. (AEOA), Mary Hilda Cavanagh (IVEA), AONTAS continued to examine Under the new legislation, the IVEA Máire Uí Eanaigh (CEFA), Brendan the changing structures within FET will become Education and Training Curtis (Mens’ Sheds), Michael Kenny at our AGM which took place at the Boards Ireland (ETBI). At the AGM, (NUI Maynooth), Noel Fitzgerald Aisling Hotel, Dublin on May 15th. four adult learners outlined how (Individual). AONTAS says goodbye While our focus in 2012 was on the they thought the new structures and thanks to Ruth Smith, Gillian development of SOLAS, this years should look. Eileen Curtis, Acting Wild and Deborah Brock, all of AGM provided the opportunity for CEO Co. Kilkenny VEC responded on whom step down this year. behalf of the IVEA/ETBI. Breakout members to learn more about key For a full list of the AONTAS discussion sessions then allowed agencies who will be delivering the Executive, visit www.aontas.com.

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• Grundtvig as a sub-programme and brand name Erasmus for All should continue Negotiations on the new EU Erasmus for All • A financial allocation of 6% should be allocated for programme continue. Erasmus for All will bring adult learning/Grundtvig activities together seven previous programmes under a single, • The programme should have a sustainable as well as strategic fund. The Erasmus for All budget is expected a systemic impact to amount to approximately 14.5 billion euro. The negotiations are expected to conclude while Ireland • The programme should have a strong emphasis on holds the EU presidency. social inclusion and active citizenship • The programme should be accessible for small AONTAS is a member of the European Association of organisations Education for Adults (EAEA) which has been involved in the negotiations by making a strong case for support of • Operating grants are vital to the work of European adult education within the new programme. Priorities Associations, particularly umbrella organisations like which the EAEA are calling for include: EAEA and should continue in the new programme.

is to be revamped and INFONET will also now feature INFONET 3 articles on science/research. The INFONET webpage can INFONET, the web-based news and information be accessed at www.infonet-ae.eu and the news letter resource funded under the Grundtvig Programme will be distributed through the AONTAS e-bulletin. has now got its third programme of work underway. Thirty one partners across Europe gathered in Tallinn in April to plan the work of the next year. The website features news articles about developments in adult education contributed by correspondents from the partner countries. Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS is the Irish correspondent. A number of key decisions were taken at the conference the most significant one being a new partnership between INFONET and LLinE, the Finnish Journal of Lifelong Learning which will now only be published online. The INFONET webpage The INFONET Project team at their recent meeting in Tallinn

project was co-ordinated by the the skills gained on the project, Irish partner Lithuanian partner and used participants also learned about features in techniques such as script writing each other’s culture, challenges and film making to enhance and traditions. The project helped Grundtvig Award creativity and stimulate social facilitate international co-operation winning project inclusion. 6 transnational meetings and develop deeper understanding An Irish organisation is one of the took place, and participants were between all partner countries partners on this years winning first required to learn about film involved. and documentary making in each Grundtvig Award project. Eastern At the end of the Partnership the partner country. Participants then Vocational Enterprises Limited in film ‘FILMIN’ was made about the learned basic film making skills, Dublin was one of six European entire Partnership and the booklet including scriptwriting, shooting partners involved in ‘Making and FILMIN was printed. analysing films; An Innovative and editing. Finally they made To view the video about the project Instrument for Social Inclusion short films on cultural, historical, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch and Learning Languages’. The social, environmental, political and economic themes. Apart from ?v=f2wGNhSEERE&feature=plcp

5 Explore Opening Lines

Building the new Further Education and Training Service The pace of the reform agenda in the adult education/Further Education and Training Sector is now moving very rapidly with the Heads of Bill for the establishment of SOLAS reaching Committee stage on May Ist following the publication of the draft legislation. It is the intention of government that the new Further Education and Training Bill will be passed before the summer recess. This will complement the Education and Training Boards Bill establishing the new Education and Training Boards which has almost reached completion.

AONTAS has taken a keen interest in the whole of the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Education process to date and we are determined to do and Skills, Independent Senators and stakehold- our utmost to contribute to the development er organisations. of a high quality Further Education and Training • Meetings with various stakeholders who have Service which incorporates the principles and best an interest and a role in the legislative process. practice of both the adult and community educa- • Attendance at the Oireachtas Committee stage tion sector and the vocational training sector. The hearing of the Bill on May 1st. importance of building a Further Education and • Follow up meeting with Minister Cannon on Training sector that is valued, is strongly learner May 16th. centred and has parity of esteem with other sec- tors of the education service cannot be underes- Draft legislation timated and is a huge step forward in terms of In our response to the draft heads of Bill we education policy. Our priority is to ensure that the asked the legislators to pay attention to four key government takes the long term view and creates areas i.e. a service which will serve the myriad needs of the • The definition of Further Education and Training adult population not only in the current context of the recession but far beyond it. • The functions of SOLAS • The development of the FET strategy Since the announcement of SOLAS in July 2011 AONTAS has engaged in a number of specific • The composition of the Board of SOLAS actions to feed constructively into the change pro- In relation to the definition, AONTAS was of the cess. These include: view that the definition contained in the legisla- • An extensive submission to the SOLAS consulta- tion was much too narrow and did not encompass tion process in January 2012. the broad range of programmes and providers in • Provision of information on developments within the sector, nor did it pay attention to the multiple the FET sector at our AGM, GM and at CEN meet- purposes and outcomes of Further Education and ings through presentations from key agencies. Training. In particular we were concerned that community education was not included in the def- • Two roundtable events, to facilitate dialogue inition nor did it take into account that many pro- and inform key decision makers and elected viders offer programmes at levels above the stated representatives from a learner perspective. cut off point of Level 6. AONTAS in our response • Development of a response to the draft legisla- drew attention to the definitions contained in tion, circulated to the Minister for Education and The White Paper 2000 and also the Report of the Skills, Minister for Training and Skills, members

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Berni Brady at the Lobby for Learning Day earlier this year Ciaran Conlon (FÁS) and John McKeon (DSP) Taskforce on Lifelong Learning, 2002 as possible work done by the independently managed commu- benchmarks for the parameters of the service. nity education providers at a local level and bring- With regard to the functions AONTAS again made ing their concerns to the policy table. a case for the inclusion of community education The discussion at the Committee meeting on providers as named bodies on a par with other May 1st was quite encouraging. It was very inter- Further Education and Training providers and also esting for us to hear a good exchange about the for the naming of learners in any consultative pro- value of community education and the recognition cesses regarding programmes and services. We also of its role in providing access to adults at a local asked for the inclusion of a broader range of social level, and its contribution to community cohesive- welfare recipients and not just those in receipt ness. For us it was also encouraging to see how of Jobseekers Allowance. AONTAS proposed the our work and research had informed the debate. insertion of the promotion of the value of Further While no agreement was reached on the day, Education and Training as a key function of SOLAS. members of the Committee agreed to withdraw a In the section dealing with how the new Further number of their amendments on the proviso that Education and Training strategy will be developed, the Minister agree to convene another meeting of once again AONTAS made a strong case for the the Committee in private where the inclusion of community education providers and learners to be community education providers and learners will named as stakeholders to be consulted, as well as be given further consideration and consensus on the development of a Learner Charter. the issues can be reached. Representation and lobbying Some key changes were however agreed at the Committee meeting. With regard to the defini- In the lead up to the Committee stage hearing on tion of FET in the draft Bill it was agreed that the May 1st AONTAS had met with as many members current definition be deleted altogether and the of the Committee as possible in the short time development of a definition to be included as part frame available to us and three of the parties, along of the FET strategy thus leaving open a gateway for with Minister Cannon submitted amendments on inclusion of a range of programmes and providers. issues we had brought to their attention. AONTAS We think that this is a good strategic decision on also supported its Community Education Network the part of the Minister provided the consultation members to lobby their local representatives. This process to develop the FET strategy is inclusive of proved to be very effective giving visibility to the a broad range of stakeholders including learners

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and community education providers. We were also very pleased to see that promoting the value of FET will be included as a function of SOLAS. Community education – A strategy for success After the Committee meeting AONTAS sought a followup meeting with Minister Cannon to consolidate our lobby. At this meeting we asked the Minister to honour his commitment given at Learners at the Lobby for Learning event speak about their our Lobby for Learning day on March 1st to put the experience of community education learner and community education at the heart of the FET strategy. This event which was attended training in the development of the Further by the Minister and his Assistant Secretary in the Education and Training Strategy. SOLAS will also Department as well as the Deputy Secretary at the consult with learners. Department of Social Protection, and a team from • Section 10 (composition of the Board) will be FÁS/SOLAS concentrated on the role of community amended, so that ordinary members of the education as a legitimate labour activation measure Board will include a representative of adult which is particularly suited to people most distanced learners to be appointed by the Minister. from education and training and the labour market. • Under Section 7 (functions) SOLAS will promote Twenty learners who had come through the the attainment of equality of opportunity in community education route and who were now Further Education and Training. either in employment or about to get a job as • Section 9 (Strategy) will contain a new subsec- a result joined with ten independently managed tion which requires SOLAS to provide adult community education providers in a dialogue with literacy and numeracy programmes for learners the Minister and the other guests to make a case for within the development of the FET strategy. the inclusion of community education in the new FET strategy. A report of the event has been prepared and A window of opportunity disseminated to key policy makers and stakeholders. There was cross-party support for these changes We used the report and the outcomes of our previous and all parties supported the inclusion of the research to consolidate our lobby on behalf of learners amendments. The Further Education and Training and community education providers. Bill is defining legislation for the sector setting out Outcomes of the second key milestones and identifying key stakeholders Committee meeting involved in shaping the new FET service. AONTAS is extremely pleased with the outcomes of our A second meeting of the members of Oireachtas lobby campaign and we thank the Minister, the sub committee, Minister Cannon and officials members of the Committee and all those public involved in the drafting of the legislation was representatives and officials who supported our held on May 21st and had some very significant campaign. We are now looking forward to getting outcomes for the AONTAS lobby. The following actively involved in the development of the FET amendments will be included in the Bill. strategy and playing our part in the development • Section 9 will now require SOLAS to consult of a service which is truly learner centred and with community education providers (along which will embrace the myriad needs and circum- with other providers of further education and stances of adult learners in Ireland.

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Design your own Degree – at all Hallows College A pioneering approach at All Hallows College offers adults the opportunity to design a bespoke degree which can be completed within a timeframe that suits their pace and life. Niamh Farren spoke to Colm Kilgallon and Siobhan Larkin who manage and develop the Adult Learning BA (ALBA) programme, along with a group of learners at varying stages of their degree.

Adult Learners at All Hallows College Suzanne Kavanagh never had was history. She is now in her their career, can’t progress and the opportunity to do a third second year of the Degree in are not reaching their potential. level qualification, something Adult Learning at All Hallows. Then there are people who have which always bothered her. Suzanne is one of 160 ALBA stu- reared their children, who have a Having raised a family and with dents, a part time degree intro- bit of additional income to spare some extra time on her hands, duced at all Hallows in 2009. and decide to do the course. A she started to think about finally A flexible, modular BA that you third, new category of learners doing her degree. But she need- can design from the beginning, within the All Hallows student ed a number of things to be the ALBA is attracting students population includes people who in place. She needed something from their late twenties well into are unemployed and who are flexible, to fit in with her busy their seventies. Students of the in the process of retraining and life – she works part time and is degree broadly fall into three refocusing their lives.’ The col- an active volunteer in her com- categories, explains Siobhan lege has supported many former munity. Her husband accompa- Larkin, ALBA Strand Leader and employees at SR Technics during nied her to an open evening at Capstone Co-ordinator. ‘They the painful process of adjusting All Hallows College, only twenty include people who are working, to redundancy and a major turn- minutes away from her home who may be at a dead end in ing point of their lives. and the rest, as the cliché goes,

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Colm Kilgallon, Assistant Director, ALBA with Carmel Lalor and John Dunne

A degree with a within five years; however some also participate on a semester difference will want to fasttrack their qual- at another third level institute ification and complete it in a with an undergraduate class. The degree has a number of shorter, more intense timeframe. Although this incurs additional features which set it apart from This approach facilitates both costs, it broadens the range of other third level qualifications the learner who needs to gain study options available. and make it particularly appeal- a qualification quickly, as well ing for adults wishing to take as the learner who experiences Valuing life up the challenge. Classes gen- personal setbacks along the way experience erally take place in the evening and who has to put their learn- Recognition of Prior Learning is and weekends, meaning that ing on hold. it accommodates adults with a given, with the Degree valuing other family and work commit- ‘We really believe in focusing existing qualifications and life ments. A highly innovative fea- on practical, measurable out- experience of those signing up. ture is the modular approach comes rather than swamping ‘We had to find a way of doing – learners must choose from a people with course material’ this', says Colm, ‘so before each number of modules which lead says Colm Kilgallon, Assistant new intake we run a Learning to specific learning outcomes. Director of ALBA. ‘Independent Assessment Seminar’. The semi- The Level 7 degree is awarded Learning Pursuits (ILPs) allow nar lasts two days, and helps peo- upon completion of 36 differ- learners to build assignments ple to identify their own exist- ent learning outcomes. Learners and learning outcomes around ing learning, as well as explore also have the option of pursu- subjects which they are already the modules they might like to interested in.’ He mentions a choose. Seminar participants are ing additional outcomes to be € awarded an honours degree recent student with an inter- required to pay 100 up front – if at Level 8. How long it takes est in patchwork quilting who they sign up for the course then to do this is up to the student created a quilt and completed this is offset against their first themselves. A typical ALBA stu- an assignment about quilting year fees. Patrick, who became dent will complete the degree from a theoretical, social and cul- redundant in 2009 explained tural perspective. Learners may the experience of doing the sem-

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Siobhan Larkin, ALBA Strand Leader and Capstone Co-ordinator ALBA students inar. ‘I would never have thought tops and cups of coffee. In the of doing something like this – case of All Hallows, it’s often For the first time I all my life I gravitated towards hard to distinguish the learn- put value on a whole something technical. I went ers from the lecturers. ‘They’re number of things I always available to meet with to an Open Evening and spoke had already learned in to some staff who persuaded you’ says Patricia, who signed me to take part in the Learning up for the BA after retirement. my life. Assessment Seminar. It was a ‘We learn with the lecturers, it’s real eye opener – we were asked totally different from school, the had two small children, and Mark to put together a timeline of our classes are very interactive and took up the role as primary carer lives where for the first time I there’s lots of discussion.’ within the home. He had always put value on a whole number of been interested in philosophy things I had already learned in Dealing with and his partner encouraged him my life.’ challenges to think about ALBA when she Student supports are not just Although the degree is highly saw an ad in the newspaper. He is afterthoughts with the Degree flexible, this does not lessen the now in his fourth year and is bal- – a whole approach of support- academic challenge that is to ancing his study with childcare ing learners is knitted into all hand. All four learners can iden- and a new career in homecare. ‘It aspects of the course, from the tify personal ‘meltdowns’ they is a juggling act’ he admits. ‘The Learning Assessment Seminar have experienced throughout the essay writing can be painful at right through to lecturing and course, whether it is grappling times; I’ve learned to be patient! teaching methodologies. ‘We with the fundamentals of quan- It’s like being a sculptor, I do a see lecturers as facilitators’ says titative reasoning, struggling little bit every day. Learning is a Colm. A quick look around the with essay writing or negotiat- process and your best is all that’s coffee dock at the college is sim- ing study time with their partner. expected of you here.’ ilar to other learning environ- Mark is a former electrician who Coping with the pressure of ments -pairs and small groups was made redundant in 2009. completing assignments is a sit huddled intensely over lap- At the time he and his partner common problem for ALBA stu-

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the college itself is in receipt of the vocabulary to express myself There’s no such thing some state funding through its – this made me frustrated. I’ve as a job for life any undergraduate programme, it is learned to trust my own mind.’ more – it’s about heavily reliant on the numbers For Patrick, developing his writ- having the ability to of people in a position to finance ing skills is something that gives adapt and learn. their own learning. ‘It’s been a him great pride. After a difficult constant challenge, but especially few years, he is now enjoying an dents and a mentoring system since the downturn’ says Colm. externship with Google where he helps counteract that. Each stu- ‘We are trying to generate fund- is sharing his IT skills with older dent is assigned a personal men- ing all the time.’ people, and giving serious con- tor. The mentor is there to listen, sideration to doing his Master’s support and also to ensure that Skills for life and Degree at All Hallows. For Patricia learners don’t take on too much. labour market a self-confessed lifelong learn- ‘I’m inspired by her, says Patricia er, the Independent Learning speaking about her own mentor. While the benefits expressed Pursuits (ILPs) has brought her ‘I learn from her, she’s helpful by ALBA learners are highly per- to unlikely places. She took up but firm’. Along with access to a sonal and on the surface do the ‘So you want to sing’ module, mentor, there’s always the coffee not appear immediately to eventually taking part in a per- dock. ‘You develop strong friend- relate to employment, Siobhan formance with a full orchestra ships, and study buddies; it’s a is quick to challenge the notion and boys' choir. Patricia was able very supportive learning envi- that it is not relevant to the to develop her assignment based ronment.’ These structures have labour market. ‘We want people on a theoretical perspective of proven to be vital in the case of who can think, and who can this experience. Both Patrick and learners struggling with the pain think critically. Change in soci- Patricia have travelled to observe of redundancy. ‘Sometimes you ety today is so rapid, there’s no UN meetings in New York, and are dealing with people who are such thing as a job for life any completed written assignments broken, their self esteem can be more. It’s about having the abil- demonstrating the outcomes of very low’ says Siobhan. This can ity to adapt and learn’ she says. their learning. For Suzanne, the sometimes create a challenging ‘Confidence is a big outcome’ experience has meant ‘learning dynamic in the classroom. adds Colm. Presentation skills and groupwork are a big part about things I never heard of, it’s Finance is an issue both for of the programme, which can bringing me back to a love of cre- adults who want to take up the push learners out of their com- ative writing and I’m doing stuff course, as well as the College's fort zone and develop impor- I never thought I’d do. I’m more funding base. Fees for the course tant skills in compromise and aware of what’s going on around are more affordable than other negotiation. While these are me, I’ve developed a different colleges, however as a part time skills for life, they are also skills view of what’s going on. This is course learners cannot qualify for for the labour market. my time; I’m nobody’s mammy, state support. All of them will nobody’s sister, nobody’s wife, it’s cover the cost of their tuition ‘It’s been absolutely wonder- time for me.’ themselves, through savings or ful’ says Mark, reflecting on the For more information about loans. ‘Money is often the reason experience. ‘When I look back, the ALBA programme, visit why people don’t go on after the I’m reminded of the expression’ www.allhallows.ie, email Learning Assessment Seminar’ living in a matchbox’. It’s really [email protected] or telephone says Siobhan. ‘The financial com- opened up a whole new world for 01 852 0736. mitment is just too big.’ While me. I always felt that I never had

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A living Literacy Trail in Waterford for adult learners Margaret Howard from Waterford VEC writes about the Literacy Trail, which encourages learners to use their literacy skills in everyday situations.

“Great fun”, “very interesting” and “make it a bit longer” were some of the phrases used by learners to describe the Literacy Trail for adult learners which was organised as part of Waterford Festival of Learning. The concept of literacy as more than a set of de-contextualised skills, but as a social practice influenced by personal, economic and social factors has been already recognised by NALA and UNESCO. This conceptualisation supports an approach to literacy that considers how we communicate with our world and acknowledges the importance of matching literacy practice and resources to authentic literacy situations for adult learners. Researchers argue that students using texts that are the same or similar to real life texts in a learning setting, are more likely to carry their learned practices into their lives (Purcell-Gates, Jacobsen & Degener, 2004). On foot of this, a literacy trail was organised offering real life application of literacy skills – a form of social practice in action. Participants were from a variety of backgrounds and social groupings, but most learners were from the locality. All were involved in Adult Basic Education and attending courses with Waterford VEC. As part of the Reginalds Tower, one of the stops on the Literacy Trail trail, learners were offered a break from classes, and invited to use their literacy skills in a social context Core skills within the community, by focusing on literacy in The design of the different levels of the trail authentic, everyday situations. concentrated on the core skills that each level aims to enhance as specified in the FETAC guidelines for Previous trails were researched and while maths certification. For example, Level 1 trails consisted of trails are in existence, some on a permanent basis (e.g. recognition of social sight signs and commonly used Maths Eyes), information on literacy trails was not words, multiple choice answer formats, distinguishing readily available. Therefore, this trail is one of the first between upper and lower case and supported spelling recorded (we are open to correction on this!) and we of commonly used words (e.g. Monday) and words approached it as a pilot project. Benefits to learners specific to the locality (e.g. the Quay, the river Suir). include the development of literacy skills, supported In contrast, Level 3 involved directions, unsupported strategies for navigating literacy events and practice spelling of more difficult words and words specific of authentic literacy tasks in everyday situations. to the locality (e.g. Waterford Crystal), open-ended

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question format and questions relating to specific information contained on signs, notices and statues. Due to the link with certification guidelines, learners have the option of using their trail forms as evidence of learning objectives if they are working towards a FETAC award and therefore, trails could be included as part of their assessment to fulfil a variety of learning objectives. Mapping the trail The trail involved students walking to six different locations in the city centre and answering literacy Bishop's Palace related questions while at these checkpoints. The six locations were within walking distance of the Adult to increase motivation to complete the trail. This Literacy Centre and due to the city centre locality, had definitely influenced uptake levels! Every completed good footpaths, lighting and signage. trail was entered into the draw, regardless of whether Waterford city centre has seen major regeneration all answers were correct or not. In this instance, over the past five years and the trail included two the skills being used on the trail were the learning sites in the renewed cultural and historical quarter experience. – Reginald’s Tower and the Bishop’s Palace. This area Points to note if you’re planning your own trail: experiences a lot of tourist traffic and is a vibrant • Tutor guidance is important for learners when and appealing part of Waterford city, which increased choosing which trail level to complete. student interest in visiting the area. The locations • Level 1 learners need some support when complet- formed a six stop loop from the Adult Literacy Centre ing this type of activity. to Reginald’s Tower and back again. • Most uptake was seen in classes where tutors The trail was designed to be as inclusive as possible accompanied learners to the six locations. and for that reason, there were trails designed for Therefore, this activity worked best as part of a learners at levels 1, 2 and 3. The same locations were class, with tutor support. used for each level, but the questions asked at each • Some students felt that their confidentiality may be location were different, depending on the skills of the breached by carrying out the trail – it may expose learner. Trails could be completed by individuals, pairs them to questions and queries from family or and groups. Learners had the option of completing the friends they may meet on the way. trail in their own time or as part of a class (with tutor • Some students did not hand in their trail forms agreement). Also, learners were free to try all levels of due to their forms being incomplete. A ‘trail helper’ the trail or just the most relevant level to their skills (member of staff/tutor), who could be approached set. Trails were checked by staff and literacy proofed by students with questions/queries would have according to the NALA Plain English guidelines. helped towards resolving this issue. Feedback • One student was put off by the term “trail” and Student, centre and organisational reaction to the envisaged a treasure hunt type activity which got trail was very positive. Tutor guidance was necessary the thumbs down. in selecting trail levels for learners. This is particularly • The trail was weather dependent and has the true for learners at levels 1 and 2, who may not potential to be a wash out! have an awareness of the stage they are at in the Copies of all 3 trails are available if you would like a learning process. A prize of a voucher (sponsored by look – just email [email protected]. the Adult Literacy Centre) was offered to students

14 Explore Focus On... European Crisis

Adult education in times of crises: from Trojan Horses to New Ethics By Dr Brid Connolly NUI Maynooth This article is part of a broader debate initiated by the EAEA (European Association for the Education of Adults) about this subject. For more information visit www.eaea.org.

The Story However, during the wealthy As the people of Cyprus endure period, civil society was quite well the pain of the failures of the organised in the work for equality banks, it seems as if Europe has and social justice. Community learned nothing from the earlier development projects thrived, crises faced by Ireland, Portugal especially in urban and suburban and Spain. That is, the banking areas that were bereft of services, sector is out of control, with the providing child and elder-care, free-flow of Euros from Europe, after-schools clubs, and indeed, but unregulated or ‘light touch’ spearheading regeneration in regulation, manipulated by the locations that were neglected or Dr Brid Connolly NUI Maynooth abandoned by the state. Agencies bonus culture and unwarranted social welfare, education and in support of refugee and asylum belief in law of the free market. In health provision. That is, while seekers, human rights, drug and each case, private debt, prompted, public spending was targeted, the substance addicts, and many other at least in part, by greed, has been recession was used as a Trojan groups, also flourished during replaced by public debt, and the Horse to attack the progress made this time, with the aim of making victims are not perpetrators of the in civil society in the work towards fundamental changes in the law crises but the ordinary citizens who equality. The work that had focused and governance in the treatment are now at their mercy. It must in the re-distribution of resources of marginalised peoples. Adult and be time to take stock, to look at was the first to experience austerity. community education was integral the underlying causes of the crisis, Adult education must re-appraise to many of these initiatives. It to get to the deep analysis of the its position in order to prevent such was a growthful time for adult factors involved, and to ensure that devastation in the future. we learn for future action. education. It was appreciated for its responsiveness and relevance. Ireland is particularly exemplary The position of adult when we look at the European- When the recession detonated education wide crisis. Prior to 2008, Ireland in 2008, the most immediate The position of adult education was considered a very rich country, governmental actions were in the times of crisis has to the second richest in the world. in these areas of civil society, continue to be responsive and However, wealth did not trickle notwithstanding that the causes flexible. The first responsibility is down throughout the populations. of the recession were squarely to the learners, individually and Indeed, at the height of the wealth, located in the banking sector, which collectively. Adult learners come poverty was still a persistent, fuelled a housing bubble. Thus, from the full spectrum of society, intractable social problem, and within a very short time, migrant and with unemployment and few inequality was endemic. Thus, integration agencies, equality resources, a new cohort is poised when money and resources were agencies, combat poverty agencies, to return to education, to facilitate plentiful, they were not used to community development projects their development. This cohort can redress inequality in any meaningful and adult education services were particularly benefit from Return or sustainable way. cut back ruthlessly, along with the to Work and Return to Education usual public expenditure targets: initiatives, which target job-seekers, 15 Explore Focus On... European Policy

and perhaps for the first time, to strengthen the field, rather than It is through research that the many young people are enjoying allow it to be subsumed into the evidence can be presented that adult education and learning with the prevailing neo-liberal discourses education has a unique contribution person-centred and respectful widespread in Europe. to make to the fabric of society. practices of adult educators. The main work of adult educators Adult education is the most These programmes have a number is to provide alternative analysis of innovative of all teaching and of advantages. Firstly, they provide the inequality that emanates from learning developments. While investment for the exchequer the neo-liberal discourses. This is the Dewey, Froebel, Montessori, funding, rather than spend it. That only way to ensure that nobody is predominate in mainstream is, the funding reaps rewards for the left behind. The key analysis must education, adult educators call exchequer, as well as the individual focus on the cost of inequality, with on the learning from feminist learner, as learning is never wasted. a particular critique of the ‘trickle education, popular education, To observe the experience of young down’ policy that holds that if the free critical pedagogy, praxis and social people enjoying the process of market is allowed to create wealth for analysis to underpin the practice. The learning and development is one of some people, it will eventually benefit practice is democratic and dialogical, the pleasures of my life. the entire community. This is patently and subverts the power dynamics false in the case of Ireland, and it can between the learners and teachers. Secondly, return to learning be obviously seen in Spain, Portugal It is the model for the kind of society programmes open new possibilities and most of all, Greece, where the that we want for all our citizens. It is for learners, and help them to poorest suffer in an unprecedented a profoundly ethical approach, and it understand that their horizons are way, while the wealthy are relatively fundamentally examines the role of much wider than they thought. unaffected. education in bringing about a more That is, they learn new skills in an just and equal society. atmosphere of respect and esteem, The key way in which adult in a participative and discursive educators improve their own skills Finally process, which is exemplary to and knowledge is through their In my almost thirty years in adult adult education. own lifelong learning, particularly and community education, I have in researching the field to build the Finally, these programmes have worked with a wide spectrum of evidence around the value of adult both long and short term outcomes, the population, from people with learning. It brings the job into the as they immediately respond to the disabilities, to new Irish citizens. In academy. needs of the learners, and build my current work as an educator of adult and further educators, I their capacity for lifelong learning. Engaging with academia This is a quality that enhances see the work with young people, In my role as an academic, I can see the learners’ own lives and also especially early school leavers, the part that the academy can play their lives of their children and unemployed people, people with in strengthening the field of adult grandchildren. It is the foundation literacy difficulties, Travellers, education. Adult educators are in a for the learning society. women in domestic violence prime position to critique the role contexts, people working to address The implications for adult educators of education as a social institution, climate change, and in many other and providers are profound. Adult in perpetuating inequality and areas. Adult education is at the educators are a collective force, social reproduction. From this heart of the real life, the reality and can influence the philosophy position, adult educators can use on the ground of many people’s and policy in the field. We must their research to examine, explore lives. This is where it belongs, and defend the priorities of the learners and analyse the experience of adult from where it can continue to exert rather than passively accepting the learners, adult education curriculum itself, through thinking, research, conditions of the funders. We must development, adult education praxis and commitment, to make continue to develop ourselves, to methodologies and processes, and a difference, to create a new world develop our skills and knowledge of course, adult education ethics. for a new era.

16 Explore Adult Learners' Festival 2013

STAR Awards 2013 115 projects were nominated for this year’s STAR Awards. Kathryn Laing profiles those who made it through to the end.

The 2013 AONTAS STAR Awards took place on Monday 25th February in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, to recognise outstanding work in adult education. The ceremony marked the start of the seventh Adult Learners’ Festival. Nearly 300 people attended the ceremony, representing thirty five organisations shortlisted for the awards. The projects represented a wide range of adult learning organisations including areas such as disability, mental health, older people and the unemployed. The ceremony kicked off with some inspiring singing by the Forever Young Chorus whose oldest member is 86 years of age! They performed hits Denise O’Connell from ‘Training for Success’ – winner in the made famous by bands such as Blondie, Coldplay, Nationwide category The Kinks and Abba and bought a smile to everyone’s face with their lively renditions. The awards were categories: Leinster, Munster, Connaught, Ulster and then officially opened by Minister for Training and Nationwide. The judges then had the difficult task of Skills, Ciarán Cannon. Minister Cannon said 'the whittling these down to a shortlist of just 38 projects. STAR Awards acknowledge the tremendous work For the second year running, the five judging panels undertaken by adult education groups and provides travelled around the country to meet with these the opportunity to celebrate this work and the very projects face to face and to choose their five winning positive contribution that it is making within local projects. As always the regional meetings are a communities and for us all as a society.' wonderful opportunity to meet with the providers and learners for both the judges and the AONTAS Keynote address staff and to learn about all the wonderful work Next up was John Lonergan, former governor of taking place throughout the country. Mountjoy Prison who gave the keynote address. Mr Lonergan echoed Minister Cannon's sentiments by Award winners saying that 'The STAR awards are unique and special After the inspiring keynote address by John because they recognise the important role that Lonergan it was onto the most anticipated part of communities, social groups and local community the ceremony, the prize giving! The five outstanding based organisations make in the promotion and adult learning initiatives who beat such tremendous delivery of adult educational programmes throughout competition were Connaught – Goal to Work Sports the whole country’. His speech was truly inspiring Coach Training Programme; Munster – Ballybeg and was mentioned as one of the highlights of the Horticulture Project; Ulster – NIAMH (Northern ceremony for many of the participants. Ireland Association for Mental Health) Live and Learn Partnership; Leinster – On The Edge – The Like the past six Star Awards, the competition was Chair Project and Nationwide – Training for Success. stiff with 115 nominations received over the five The five awards, designed by Kerry artist Julie Ann

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of events to cater to all tastes, interest and skills levels. The events were held by a range of providers including libraries, VECs, adult education providers, community groups, museums, galleries and private businesses. For the first time ever there was also a pop up series of workshops organised by Open Learning Ireland at the Seomra Spraoi centre in Dublin. At AONTAS we are looking forward to making the Festival even bigger and better for 2014.

Keynote speaker, John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy

Foley, were presented by Minister Ciaran Cannon and John Lonergan. A wonderful addition to this year’s ceremony was getting the opportunity to listen to learners from the winning projects tell the audience about the huge difference participating in the projects had made to their lives. The ceremony then finished off on a high with Ijeoma Iroaganachi, a childcare assistant at Longford Women’s Link, telling the audience what winning a STAR Award meant to Members of the Forever Young Choir them. And the winners are…. Valuing adult learning Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS summed up Connaught: Goal to Work Sports Coach the STAR awards and the outstanding winners by Training Programme saying that 'The Award winners today demonstrate This sports coach training programme gives 12 that further education and training can be of great unemployed people an opportunity to become assistance in helping to reduce unemployment, by trained sports coaches. The initiative recognises that creating pathways for adults to secure employment many unemployed people have an interest in sport or to even to set up their own businesses. However, it's and may offer the potential to provide employment also clear that these initiatives are doing much more opportunities. The sports coaching involved are than just that. They are helping to improve people’s Soccer, GAA and Rugby. The programme involves physical health, providing valuable community working 2 days per week over 14 weeks as well services and breaking down the stigma of mental as a number of evenings and weekends. Another health difficulties.' aim of this programme is the improved usage of community leisure facilities and increased levels of The STAR Awards Ceremony was only the beginning physical activity within local communities due to of a wonderful week of celebration and learning availability of qualified community sports coaches/ with over four hundred free events taking place leaders. This project is based in Mayo. throughout the country. There was a huge range

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Munster STAR, the Ballybeg Horticulture Project with John Lonergan and Minister Ciarán Cannon

Munster: Ballybeg Horticulture Project Leinster: On The Edge – The Chair Project Ballybeg Horticulture Project, in Waterford, began TASK is a rehabilitative training programme for with the aim of tackling food poverty in the local people recovering, living with, or enduring mental area but soon discovered that there was a lack health difficulties. The Chair Project was an eight of skills for this, so they started out with a one month project which was part of the Creative Arts module course in vegetables crops. In October 2009 Module. The aim of the project was to tackle stigma the project was funded by FÁS to run a major associated with preconceptions and biased social certificate in horticulture at level 4. They have since attitudes to people with poor mental health. This run two level 5 courses and a second level 4 and are project took the chair as a symbol of everyday life, part currently running a level 3 course in Employability of the furniture, and decided to create a collection of skills with its links being to horticulture. The group chairs that would all be individual statements from works closely with organisations throughout the the students, all with messages of hope, recovery, community such as Barnardos, the local secondary and personal experiences. The collection of chairs school, Killeen Resource centre and local childcare was exhibited outside of the City Courthouse for the facilities doing jobs such as putting in decks, planting duration of Kilkenny Arts Festival 2012 for ten days. beds and daffodils and creating gardens in green areas throughout Ballybeg. Nationwide: Training for Success Training for Success, which started in 1998, aims Ulster: NIAMH (Northern Ireland Association to enable students with epilepsy to identify a for Mental Health) Live and Learn Partnership career of their choice; set realistic educational and Live & Learn is an innovative, dynamic Lottery employment goals; acquire skills and confidence to funded initiative in its 4th year. BMC, a key partner, gain employment and learn about the nature and develops education programmes to re-engage management of epilepsy. 14 learners are currently adults with mental ill health, to improve learning involved while approximately 180 have participated and coping mechanisms. Seventy programmes have since 1998. been designed to improve the health and well-being For more information about the award of NIAMH members and to address their isolation, winners and the Adult Learners’ Festival visit social exclusion and non-engagement in education. www.adultlearnersfestival.com.

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Festival around the country Over four hundred events took place during this year's Festival. Here are some of the reports from around the country.

Leitrim An Adult Learners Gathering during AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival! For the year that is in it, Leitrim Adult Educational Guidance and Information service hosted an ‘Adult Learners Gathering’ for Leitrim VEC learners and tutors. Well known psychologist, Shane Martin from Moodwatchers, spoke to participants about focusing on simple strategies scientifically Learners receive their Fetac Level 5 certs in Leitrim linked to greater health, happiness way to make that change. Shane to focus on training and education and resilience. Shane has vast had all 110 participants entertained opportunities. experience of speaking to people but also inspired with his common There was an excellent showcase around Ireland and he says ‘’with so sense approach to making your of the work of adult learners in much fear and hopelessness around life happier. Participants enjoyed Leitrim during the annual traditional I think it is crucial to educate people a complimentary lunch and an Irish music, song and dance how to cope through challenging opportunity to mingle with fellow concert – ‘Trad Meitheal’ – held on times. It is never too late to embrace learners. Friday 1st March in the Mayflower, a better quality of life. Indeed, we Other activities during the week Drumshanbo. Students from underestimate our own potential included an Information Coffee Drumshanbo Vocational School to bring about wonderful change morning in Lough Allen PLC College, who are participating in FETAC for ourselves’’. For many adults, Drumkeerin which was open to the Level 5 Certificates in Traditional taking part in a course has been a public to come in and speak with Irish Music and Sound Production tutors and learners about available organised, hosted and performed courses. A current FETAC Business in this event. The concert not only class from Lough Allen College raised funds for worthwhile local visited local business, Sasta Fitness charities but also formed part of the where proprietor Fiona Egan gave assessment criteria for the courses. them an insight into her business Last but certainly not least and how she achieved her current certificates were presented to success. All students received a full Leitrim VEC Healthcare and body composition including weight, Childcare graduates in the Bush height, fat mass, muscle mass, bone Hotel where over 70 adults proudly mass and overall level of fitness. received their certificates from VEC Leitrim Jobs Club began their courses. Almost all of the graduates Students at Lough Allen College Level 5 IT latest course in Ballinamore and have gained employment in related visit Sásta Fitness used the Festival as an opportunity areas! Overall it was a successful

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week with great feedback and with what are now fast becoming people asking what is being essential computer skills but I organised for next year already! benefit from new information and insights on a very large range of Galway topics. Over time, Croí na Gaillimhe Learning Tree bears fruits at has shown me that there still exists Croí na Gaillimhe Resource a great and essential social medium Centre, St Vincent de Paul for community development on A learning tree which symbolises many levels and there is always a the highs and lows of adult learning heartfelt welcome”. was unveiled on Wednesday ‘We know that adult learners and February 27th by Cllr. Frank Fahy and community education centres do was displayed throughout the week vital work on a daily basis, and this is A Zumba class in South Tipp of the Festival. even more apparent during a time of renewed. Music and entertainment Loretta Needham, Manager economic recession’ said Frank Fahy was provided by the very talented of Croí na Gaillimhe Resource Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway. young men from the Bish school (St Centre explained at the event ‘Centres such as Croí na Gallimhe Joseph’s Secondary School) that “Community Education are providing opportunities for has demonstrated significant people to learn new skills, but also Tipperary social outcomes along with the they provide a valuable social role at Celebrating the success of adult development of core skills for a time like this. By social role I mean learning in South Tipp participants. These outcomes include: responding to the themes of social South Tipperary VEC celebrated greater levels of volunteering, better exclusion, educational disadvantage the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival health outcomes for participants, and isolation of people in society with a wide range of workshops both physical and mental, improved both city and rural’. and events to suit all during the parenting skills and stronger social Several of our enthusiastic week. The festival kicked off to a networks. We need to recognise learners gave a brief account of great start on the 26th February that many people sign up for a their learning experiences at Croí in Common Thread Clonmel with course for social reasons, to pursue na Gaillimhe. They all spoke of the the Tree Spirit Costumes & Head a hobby of interest and make new joy and the fun they experienced Dresses workshop. On the same friends and there is a need to see in learning and most of all, they morning, over 100 Adult Learning the broader role of further education mentioned the friendships they Scheme students and tutors and training including community had made – or in many cases, attended a Morning at the Movies education within society and beyond in Clonmel to see “Lincoln”. On the the labour market”. 27th, a workshop took place on Majella Mallon McGrath, 'How to set up a Book Club' in the Volunteer at Croí na Gaillimhe Tipperary Town Library, facilitated added: “Although I may be called by Sheila Quealey. Meanwhile, on a volunteer; I don’t really regard the same day in the Cashel Library, time spent in Croí na Gaillimhe as Maura Dunne demonstrated her volunteering. I now see the process skills on how to reuse and recycle as a mutual educational exchange cotton shoppers, which went between individuals, where each down a treat with over 25 learners of us benefits on many levels in attending. Clonmel Library also coming together albeit under the hosted a Creative Arts Workshop heading of computer training. on the 28th with Miriam Robinson Individuals may leave classes Adult Learners’ Festival in South Tipperary who guided the learners in the

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art of colours and creativity. The The week’s events were posters on healthy eating, a booklet VTOS students in Cahir were busy coordinated by Veronica Crowe, of creative writing, photography, displaying their Arts & Crafts in South Tipperary VEC Community video, card-making and a boat from the Cahir Library on Thursday 28th, Education Facilitator, and it was the men’s group in Newbridge which was followed by a workshop most certainly a very positive and Family Resource Centre! with Tina Looby on Water colours. enjoyable one. Well done to one Everybody was welcomed by and all. An important event took place M.C. Conor O’Leary, a tutor with also in Thurles on Thursday 28th Kildare Co. Kildare V.E.C. who helped to where South and North Tipperary organise the event. Lead speaker Naas learning event reveals VEC Community Education tutors on the night was Susan Cullinane, rich outcomes of community attended training on “How to Community Education Facilitator education Capture the Wider Benefits of with the Community Education A wonderful celebration of Learning.” With the impending Service in Kildare VEC who community education throughout advent of SOLAS, this workshop congratulated all of the groups County Kildare supported by Co. was very timely in showing how and highlighted how “we work in Kildare VEC took place at the IVEA qualitative benefits of learning partnership with groups, building Centre, Naas on Monday evening. can be recorded. This was a very a relationship with them and successful day and the feedback A bumper crowd of over a hundred supporting them in the process was very positive. people admired the inspiring to identify what is really the most display of the adult learning that important thing to do now”. Berni On Friday 1st March, VTOS is taking place around the county Brady, CEO of AONTAS highlighted students from Clonmel headed showing community learning the range of activities being held off to visit LIT Tipperary to attend benefits in a broad range of areas across the country to celebrate a lecture and network with other including personal, health, family adult learning during this week. students. The week finished with and community, and education and a Zumba Workshop where over A number of the volunteers also employment. Kildare VEC tutors 30 learners from different groups spoke about their groups, and what Kevin Smith, Anna Knight and joined together in C.T.I. Clonmel community education has meant Kathrine Hughes had worked with to move to the beat with Linda to them and their group including the participant groups over recent Murphy. This was followed by Karen Gorey from Robertstown, Paul weeks to reflect on what they had wonderful refreshments and cakes O’Rourke from Naas Photography gained as individual learners and as prepared by Martin Coughlan and Group, and Gaye Dempsey from a group, and how to promote their the BTEI students. Older Voices Kildare which were work. The participants included nominated for a STAR award at the Robertstown Women’s Group, Newbridge Family Resource Centre, Eve Larine Centre in Maynooth, Naas Photography Group, Platinum Clubhouse in Newbridge, Derrinturn Women’s Group, Older Voices Kildare, The Engaging Men Initiative, Faith Family Initiative, and others who joined on the night. The evening included taster demonstrations of photography and felt-making whilst the showcase

Members of Derriturn Womens’ Group included a display of materials during their Festival event including a giant puppet, felting, Eve Larine from Maynooth

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all the answers. The highlight of the day was the presentation of certificates to our adult learners, all of whom completed courses and training. Our invited guest speakers on the day Mayor of Fingal Cian O’Callaghan and Professor Marie Slowey from DCU made it a special day for our learners. We had an evaluation soon after the event. This allowed the team to discuss what was good and points Art Appreciation Day during the Adult that need improving on for next Learners at the Glosna House event Learners’ Festival time. The support from AONTAS Adrienne Harding, ITB Access Adult Learners’ Festival in Dublin was extremely helpful. The Event Officer, said of the programme, “We earlier in the day. There was a great in a Bag was great and the freebies are delighted with the interest in the response and it hoped the event were an added bonus. Overall the Work Analysis Programme. Feedback will become an annual feature of event was a great success and it is from a number of the students the Community Education calendar hoped to host another after 2014 indicates that the programme in future. ideas are already being proposed. is relevant, inspiring and thought provoking. It is proving particularly Meanwhile the Insitute of Dublin helpful to people who are at a Technology in Blanchardstown Blanchardstown library hosts crossroads in their professional lives in conjunction with the National local collaborative event as the topics covered can assist them Learning Network ran its 3 day to plan their future career or study Blanchardstown Area Partnership ‘Work Analysis Programme’. Twenty path. We hope that the programme (BAP) along with County Dublin people attended the programme will become a regular programme VEC worked together to bring the which was developed to help match at ITB”. Adult Learners’ Festival 2013 to people to their ideal type of work or Blanchardstown. The all day event training course. Learning at the Central Library took place on Thursday February The Central Library in Dublin 28th in Blanchardstown library. This The Work Analysis Programme held nine events attracting 280 was the fourth year for BAP to be aims to assist those who are participants during the Festival involved in the festival and with recently unemployed and who week. Events aimed to heighten AONTAS. Planning for the event may find it difficult to re-enter awareness of adult learning started in October 2012. A team education or consider education for opportunities, employment and of people from both organisations the first time. The project aims to educational life chances and career worked on ideas and suggestions ensure they are well informed as focused events in Dublin City to make the event interesting and to the options available to them, Libraries. worthwhile for all who came on and prepare them to enter into the day. third level education. The course There was something for is open to everyone aged over 23 everyone in the library during At the event there were years who is unemployed and who the week as the events consisted workshops on many topics, stands is not currently in education. Topics of five Information and Advice promoting adult education and covered range from customer care, Stands, two career direction and learning in the Dublin 15 area. We sales and communication through development lectures and two held a competition quiz which to guidance, CV writing and further focus groups on Entrepreneurship was fun, and our visitors needed study options. for business start ups. to visit all stands in order to get

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day gave me the encouragement and confidence to try to learn something new,” and “I thought I was too old at 62 to go to college but that’s no longer true.” As a librarian and with the assistance of a variety of service providers, it was wonderful to be able to provide 280 adults with new and exciting learning opportunities during the annual Adult Learners’ Festival. Fetac Level 3 recipients with their tutor Maura Fingal Adult Education Service The Festival began on February diverse group of library users. We promotes learning in the 25th with three main attractions; finished a very busy week, with an community employment opportunities for Information and Advice Stand from The Adult Learners’ Festival people with disabilities and the Dublin City North Volunteer promoted a great sense of health issues being highlighted by Centre, who highlighted a range of community in Fingal Adult representatives from Employability volunteering jobs in the city. This Education. Each morning the stu- Ltd which was an ideal Information was followed by a career lecture dent break rooms became a hive Stand to encourage new learning by Management and Training of activity, hosting competitions opportunities in a busy city Consultant, Tom Mitchell from whilst serving up refreshments. centre location. This was followed JobSearch who explored effective The element of colour through- by a worthwhile interactive ways to carry out a successful job out both centres was uplifting, as presentation on job opportunities search with 60 eager jobseekers. walls were adorned with balloons in EU institutions with education Participants' testimonials and banners whilst student work officer, Joan Flanagan from during the festival were both was encouraged and given pride of the European Commission. complimentary and encouraging, place! The Make Up Artistry group An EPIC Stand in the afternoon “very practical support on offer, did tremendous work pampering then provided lots of valuable thank you,” “loads of opportunities staff, students and even members employment advice to people for me to check out,” “I never knew of the public, with treatments such from immigrant communities. that the library has such a range of as manicures and make up. We incorporated a Stand with services for people like me,” “this the National College of Ireland On the Wednesday the on February 26th to promote Balbriggan centre hosted an Open free college places for anyone Day where the local community wanting to retrain and/or upskill were invited to experience the as well as two focus groups on learning opportunities available Entrepreneurship concentrating on to them. There were Skype, iPad, the needs of business start ups in Twitter and You Tube demos. The the city. There was a great amount Childcare students put theory into of ideas exchanged and it was a practice by organising, setting good networking opportunity up and running a working crèche for all attendees. On the 27th we on the day. The CEO was invited had an Information Stand hosted to launch the new ‘Linen Library’, by AONTAS, which promoted which will be of great benefit to both students and staff alike. the value of adult learning to a Tweeting at Fingal Adult Education Service

24 Explore Adult Learners' Festival 2013

of 12 people from AOF Denmark (Adult Learning Organisation) and was very well received. This was the first time the Museum ran such an event for the Adult Learners' Festival and we hope to run it again in 2014. Donegal Mevagh Family Resource Centre hosts an action-packed week of adult learning Mevagh Family Resource Centre A Festival event at Mevagh Family Resource Centre hosted a variety of events as part The Adult Learners’ Festival was for visitors and groups. The tour of the Festival week. With support a great opportunity for Fingal includes a history of printing, from County Donegal VEC and Adult Education to focus on the printing in Ireland, evolution of Taobh Tire Library Project a diverse achievements of students and the the printing process and a look at selection of courses and workshops facilities available to them. Fingal the most important composing, took place. Adult Education would encourage printing and finishing machines The Festival began with a Creative any organisation considering to used to create books before the Writing Workshop. Participants taking part in the festival to do so digital age. Each visitor also has were introduced to various writing next year! an opportunity to become a techniques enabling them to compositor and printer, and leaves AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival get their creative juices flowing. with a sample of printing. By 2013 at the National Print Writing and reciting their poetry working as guides in the Museum, Museum and prose to one another provided assisting at events and helping to For the AONTAS Adult Learners’ a morning of entertainment, as well preserve the collection, learners gain Festival 2013, the National Print as learning. On Monday evening practical and theoretical experience Museum’s Education Department Chris Carney gave an informative in tourism, heritage, culture and decided to run an event to showcase talk about Landscape Gardening. museums in Ireland which they the new tour guiding skills of bring to future positions they work Mevagh Men’s Group welcomed learners from the FÁS Local Training in. There is a range of other modules Michelle Hay from Mulroy Irish Initiative in Culture & Heritage – from reception and frontline skills Coastguard who gave a talk on Studies at the National Print through to French language and water conservation. Finola Brennan, Museum. This Culture and Heritage ECDL. Donegal Women’s Network hosted Studies programme is a FÁS funded a discussion on the day-to-day For our AONTAS Adult Learners’ Local Training Initiative and learners lives of women with the group Festival event, each learner shared on the programme undertake a discussing ‘what gets them going the responsibility of delivering FETAC Level 5 Common Award in and what keeps them going’. They a special interactive tour of the Culture and Heritage Studies (Level also examined the role of women Museum’s permanent exhibition. 5 on the National framework of in public life. Debate centred on The tour was divided into sections, Qualifications) as well as training to current statistics regarding the with each learner specialising in a be tour guides at the Museum. gender imbalance within public particular topic. The tour took place Once their training is complete, administration. on the ‘Learning for Work’ day of the each learner is equipped to provide festival (Thursday 28 February) and Wednesday afternoon saw a crowd a one hour tour of the Museum, was primarily attended by a group of Facebook amateurs attending interpreting the Museum artefacts

25 Explore Adult Learners' Festival 2013

the social media workshop, where on Friday 1st March in Shannon they learned how to create, share Library. Learners received their and exchange information on certificates for both programme & popular social websites. Mevagh course completion ranging from Craft Group had a very productive FETAC level 1-5 as well as Junior day introducing new people to Cert and Leaving Cert completion traditional crafts. Thursday’s Family awards. Day saw many inter-generational The Festival embraced several activities from storytelling to the learning workshops which simple art of playing draughts. included the Mens' Sheds‘ Donegal County Library, held an Tinsmithing group from Scariff, information session for parents and Shannon and Ennis Youthreach grandparents on ‘enjoying reading who came together to complete with your child’. a joint project. The brief was Marrietta Herraghty, Project to design, create & supply the AONTAS Festival bus brings learners to Co-ordinator said ‘the week was various VEC allotments with LCEN 20th Birthday celebration very successful with one hundred raised beds. It was a daylong Library which was attended by and forty five people taking part event with the various groups, our learners, their families, tutors, in the activities. It was an ideal having an opportunity to work programme providers including opportunity to link in with activities together, share ideas, knowledge FÁS, Clare Supported Employment, on a national level showcasing the and experiences. The end result Rehab and Obair Newmarket on value of adult learning and passing was a set of wonderful new raised Fergus. The event was formally on traditional crafts to younger beds for our allotment. opened by Stephen Bearpark people.’ We also held pop up workshops National Co-ordinator of BTEI, who first visited our centre, met some Clare in the nearby Shannon shopping centre throughout the week, where learners and got a flavour of the Pop up workshops in Shannon adults could participate and benefit programmes and courses currently The Shannon Adult Learning from learning opportunities in running in the centre. Centre Co. Clare VEC celebrated Skype, craft, tinsmithing, workplace The Festival is always a great the Adult Learners’ Festival with a education and green energy. There success with learners, tutors and wide range of workshops, activities, were also Information stands and programme providers here in Co. adult learning information sessions, briefings with our Adult Learners Clare. As Aobhan Haverty AEO Co. culminating in an awards ceremony Guidance Service, which helps Clare VEC Adult Education Service learners identify the valuable skills concluded “For learners and par- that they have developed through ticipants, adult education is not life experiences and decide on a only about the acquisition of skills course that suits them best. but is also vital in terms of keeping During the week our regular our minds active and giving us the learners had an opportunity to skills to cope with the many chal- ’bring a buddy to class’. This was lenges life can present.“ a great success. The aim of this AONTAS would like to thank all initiative was that the learner event organisers for making this would advocate the wider benefits year’s Festival such a great success. of adult learning and participation. Congratulations to Fingal Adult The week culminated in our Education Service who won this A Festival event at Shannon Adult awards ceremony in the Shannon year’s photography competition. Learning Centre

26 Explore Inspiring Adult Learners

"New perspectives, new connections" Patrick Duffy, student in the Adult Learning BA (ALBA) writes about his personal experience of redundancy over two years ago, and how the BA is helping him to find his feet again.

On a cold day in February we stood A new identity listening to the Chief Executive The day I started the ALBA course Officer. Most stood in silence, the stigma of unemployment began numbed by the cold but more so to wane. The student card enables by the harsh news coming from the me to avail of discounts at many podium. From an accountant’s point cash desks, which I have ceased of view the message being delivered being embarrassed to request. It was logical and sensible, losses were also affords me a new identity of mounting and the haemorrhage of which I am proud. From the outset money from the organisation needed the ALBA course seemed right for to be stopped. As the Irish branch of me. The course is specially designed a large multinational company we to meet the needs of adult students. had to take our share of the financial Writing assignments generates a restructuring. Considering that the Patrick Duffy, ALBA student at All Hallows sense of achievement signifying Irish branch was the only branch the completion of a module. Some registration with the Department of to make a profit in the recent past, assignments seem therapeutic in Social Protection and FÁS. Despite complete closure and redundancy easing the pain of redundancy. the adverse public comment the for all employees seemed senseless. Stephen Joseph describes a writing State agencies were very helpful. But we, the workers, were not exercise which he says “can help you Each individual made every effort consulted and not even included in see things from new perspectives, to smooth the way and ensure that the calculations, we were already make new connections and find all entitlements were realised. After discounted, on the out-of-date new insights”. Aspects of some the initial holiday feeling had worn shelf, redundant and left to fend for modules enkindle a latent interest off the real meaning of redundancy ourselves. There was no reprieve, in a subject and lead on to further took hold. It is an experience not the company was closing, the only study. option was to go and apply for to be wished for, unpleasant and the dole. The thought was alien to disturbing. A catalyst for future many, with long service, who had employment Finding my feet never experienced unemployment. College has replaced my workplace It was through the efforts of FÁS We were unemployed. News reports and my fellow students my work that I made contact with adult heralded our redundancy across the colleagues. Indeed it has become education course providers. The event globe, there was no way to escape the a second home. For me the adult was organised to introduce as many publicity, and each employee’s world learning experience has drawn out as possible of the newly unemployed was shattered. Neighbours, relatives an unexpected interest in education to the available educational options and friends started calling to express and associated subjects which at all levels. Each provider presented their concerns about the layoff much will hopefully be the catalyst for the options and advantages of like sympathy on bereavement. future employment. Throughout the completing a course offered by them. ALBA course I have grown in self- I was persuaded to sign up for a The reality of redundancy esteem and confidence, which has Learning Assessment Seminar (LAS) The first weeks were busy with primed my job hunting capability for in All Hallows College by a gentleman statutory obligations, including immediate action. with a beard.

27 AONTAS: The Voice of Adult Learning The National Adult Learning Organisation 2nd Floor, 83 – 87 Main Street, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 Tel: 01 406 8220/1 Fax: 01 406 8227 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aontas.com

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