European Agenda for Lifelong Learning
Notes of the Impact Forum Scotland
Tuesday 12th May 2015
Scotland’s Learning Partnership, Edinburgh
1. Present: Cath Hamilton (Chair of meeting), Wilma Reid (N.H.S Health Scotland), Jim Crowther (University of Edinburgh), Lynn Tett (University of Edinburgh), Ann Swinney (University of Dundee), Ian Shaw (Learner Micro Tyco), Stewart Beck (NAC), Graeme McLellan (IC), Jayne Stuart (W.E.A), Emma Whitelock (LEAD), Jackie Howie (Learning Link Scotland), Bonnie Slade (University of Glasgow), Elizabeth Kwaw (Ecorys), Susan Easton (NIACE), Jan Eldred (NIACE), Sally Dyson (SCVO), Chris Fairgreave (National Adult Learners’ Forum), Margaret Allan (National Adult Learners’ Forum), Ian Leith (SLP), Fiona Boucher (SLP), Tracy Waddell (SLP),.
2. Apologies: Joyce Black NIACE, Loretta Mordi Museums Galleries Scotland, Mhairi Harrington College Principals Group, Linda McTavish Regional College LEAD, Mike Osborne University of Glasgow, John Field University of Stirling.
3. Introduction to sharing Impact Information through technology
Cath welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the theme for the day and the presenters, Susan Easton from NACE and Sally Dyson to replace Chris Yiu from SCVO.
4. Presentations
Adult Learning and Digital Inclusion - the Potential, Sally Dyson, SCVO
Sally’s presentation focused on the work of the digital inclusion team, highlighting the areas they are working on to increase digital inclusion across Scotland. Their focus is primarily on developing simple basic digital skills for those people who are currently excluded from taking part.
Basic Digital Skills
Managing Information / Find, manage & store digital contentCommunicating / Communicate, interact, collaborate, share & connect with others
Transacting / Buy & sell goods and services, organise your finances and use digital government services
Problem Solving / Increase independence & confidence by solving problems and finding solutions using digital tools
Creating / Create basic digital content in order to engage with digital communities and organisations organisations
One of the main aims for SCVO is to build digital capacity within the third sector to facilitate the support of those most excluded.
They have a rnage of tools and online support to manage this incluing:
(IF2 Ref Paper 1)
Adult Learning and Technology, Susan Easton, NIACE
Susan introduced NIACE’s work as the UK coordinator for the European Agenda for Adult Learning. Since the beginning of the programme they have developed:
· National and international webinars, learner and provider surveys
· Identified barriers to use of technology for learners, tutors and providers
· Developed resource kit for self organised learning groups.
Highlighting the links with PIAAC Susan linked the landscape of digital in such a way that people could grasp the concept and makes links with their own work. Showing the digital learning and digital skills landscape for adult learners, focussing on adult learning and the potential for learning technologies.
The example of how digital can support family learning was really helpful in describing the work that has been delivered.
The presentation was opened up to look at the potential for learning technologies in adult learning highlighting the key mechanisms that provide possibilities:
(IF2 Ref Paper 2)
5. Group Discussions
1. Embedding technology in adult learning (Hosted: Susan Easton)
2. Digitally Agile-digitally able (Hosted: Jackie Howie)
Questions
1. Adult learning providers and practitioners are keen to increase their use of learning technologies. However they have identified barriers including those of lack of staff capability, resource and support. What are the views of staff and how should these issues be addressed?
2. Are forum members aware of any further examples of technology use by Community Groups? What are these and how effective is that use? How would forum members use / adapt the SOL online toolkit?
3. Adult learning providers have a good track record of delivering basic digital skills to marginalised learners, but lack institutional support, resources and connectivity. How could this be addressed to ensure learners progress their skills and what partnerships would help?
6. Feedback
The discussions in the group were wide-ranging and interesting, but in addressing the questions we agreed that.
1. In Scotland there has been limited investment in the support for digital capacity building within the sector - a small project developed a series events and seminars culminating in the development of a set of principals for part of the sector about three years ago. Digitally Agile has been the main support for the group of practitioners who work in the non-formal sector.
2. People felt that they were willing to learn more but there needed to be a leader in the field as this was missing and the lack of time available for people in the sector to get skilled up without help and financial support was definitely holding back new developments. The University and College sectors would always be ahead of adult learning as they had investment in staff development from their Government Funding packages.
3. An investment in digital project from the EC was suggested to address the gaps and support the creation of a truly inclusive digital nation. If we leave the training to big institutions then we will increase the gap as people don’t congregate in these institutions as adults they live and work in very different settings therefore the approach needs to adopt a range of tools to ensure inclusivity.
7. Sharing Impact Information through technology - An Introduction to EPALE- what’s possible?
Elizabeth introduced the recently launched EPALE, which is a multilingual open membership community for anyone with a professional role in adult learning across Europe. It shares content related to adult learning, including news, blog posts, resources, events and courses. Members can engage with adult learning colleagues across Europe. https://ec.europa.eu/epale/ (IF2 Ref Paper 3)
8. AOB
Jan Eldred (NIACE) gave an update on the UK European Agenda for Adult Learning.
NIACE as the UK coordinators have produced a concept paper and this is framing future work. There are future meetings planned in each of the 4 Nations and although each are doing similar work, Jan will produce a thematic summary of what is emerging from each. Some of the policy drivers are UK wide and some belong to each nation. Jan also raised the question of how to produce the information in a way that will press Governments buttons.
9. Date of Next meeting – Tuesday 8th September 1.30pm – 3.30pm.