Listening to learners

NIACE work with learners and to support learner ‘voice’ and advocacy

NIACE has a long-standing commitment to working directly with learners, and supporting practice and policy around learner representation and advocacy.

Since September 2007, NIACE has had a ‘Learner Involvement Policy 2007-2010’ with objective in five areas covering both internal and external practice.

These pages offer information about NIACE policies, research, practice, publications, events and other activities in this area.

NIACE's Learner Involvement Policy 2007-2010

The aim of this policy is to ensure that NIACE adopts and actively promotes the involvement of adult learners in every aspect of its work: within the Institute, with members and with the wider world of potential learners, educators and policy makers. NIACE is concerned to enhance this involvement from all learners in all settings, but particularly from those learners who have had least involvement in learning in the past.

Download NIACE's Learner Involvement Policy 2007-2010 - [word]

Learning from Learners

NIACE held a conference for learners in early May2008,  supported by the European National Learners’ Panel. The aim of the conference was to talk with learners about why and how providers should be involved learners in their work.

Learners’ experiences about the learning they are doing now, or have done in the past, as well as their understanding of their communities and their own learning needs, can be valuable for providers. They know a lot that can help providers design programmes that people want and that are accessible to them. Adults, of course, choose whether or not to participate in learning and they pay for it through their taxes and fees. So whether it’s a question of democracy, personalisation, taking forward your Learner Involvement Strategy – or just plain common sense - there are many benefits for providers in consulting and involving learners.

The messages from the conference about how to consult well with learners has informed a ‘Learning from Learners’ leaflet which is available to download free below. Hard copies can be ordered by contacting Rachel Hughes, rachel.hughes@niace.org.uk

The leaflet includes the following sections:

Download Learning from Learners leaflet - [pdf]

The Learners' Network

The Learners’ Network is being developed by NIACE in partnership with learners. NIACE tries to represent the best interests of learners to government and educational providers.

The main purpose of the Network is to build up an enthusiastic alliance of learners across the country, who can swap experiences, give each other advice and support, and find out more to develop their own learning. We are producing a regular newsletter, with learners’ stories, competitions, news items and useful learning tips. In time, we hope to arrange local and regional events, where learners can meet up.

It’s free to join The Learners’ Network - all we ask from members is active interest and support. Anyone interested in joining should download a membership form below or contact Sue Parkins at NIACE on 0116 2044247 or email susan.parkins@niace.org.uk.

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