Crandi

Why Community Education Is The Perfect Way To Restart Your Aontas

Leo Migdal
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why community education is the perfect way to restart your aontas

Download the Brochure for AONTAS Adult Education Summit! Those who participate in community education will often say it’s a bit different to what they have experienced before, in a number of ways: Community educators understand how difficult it can be to walk in the door that first day Avril from Dublin (who recently shared her story of returning to education as part of our One Step Up information campaign) describes starting out in community education after some women in her local community... “We face adversity in our everyday lives and each time you get over one thing another issue emerges. All these issues result in trauma.”

Storytelling is the oldest known way for humans to make sense of our reality and to create and affirm our identity. “AONTAS on the Road” is part of the New European Agenda for Adult Learning, a European Commission programme that aims to promote and strengthen adult education throughout Europe. This project is renewed every two years, each term focusing on specific themes. The 2024-2025 theme is Building Stable Roots in a Sustainable Learning Ecosystem. It focuses on empowering learners, building capacity in the adult and community education sector, and addresses current issues like just green transitions, while promoting the idea that education can happen anywhere. Our vision of a sustainable learning ecosystem is one that is built on care, connection, empathy, and cohesion - where learners, above all, feel safe and empowered.

It is also an environment where learners feel seen and heard, and where their lived experiences are placed at the centre of their learning. A sustainable learning ecosystem generates learning opportunities with every interaction between learners themselves, with their educators, and with their environment. Community partnerships add another layer to education that is critical to helping students thrive and develop life skills. While community education programs are not new, there is a way in which communities can pull together to better prepare children and youth for life success. Understanding where you are in terms of your daily life and how to relate to those around you is vital in terms of social life, and overall learning success. While academic subjects still have to be addressed in any school setting, community education focuses on success in overall life, how to view oneself, and the impact one's own skills and abilities can have...

SOS Children's Villages, a foster care organization that supports community development, suggests: Strong communities are the bedrock of society. Community provides stability, a critical factor that contributes to an individual's ability to thrive. Community is so essential that the well-being of children and families is directly impacted when they live in strong, stable, inclusive, and supportive communities. These kinds of communities are developed as each member finds relevance and purpose. Various organizations within a community — including schools, nonprofits, and other organizations — should partner together to strengthen their communities, but it must be an intentional process and it involves continuous and relevant learning.

Often, specifically in lower income areas, individuals can feel excluded, not important, and certainly not empowered to be a part of the community. In a community education program, even young children can learn how to work within a community and feel empowered to make a difference regardless of levels of affluence or location. Community education helps people who want to return to education or learning, but may not have the confidence or opportunities to do this in a formal setting like university or further education. It is rooted in values of equality, justice and empowerment. It creates a voice for those who are furthest from the education system. It is based on what people need and is driven by communities.

Community education often helps people who have been let down by the traditional education system in Ireland, and who need some care and guidance to get back into learning again, or take up a... 77% of community education learners are women and more than half of learners are over 55 years of age. Many people come from homes and communities where staying in school or going to college just doesn’t happen. Or people have a lot to cope with, including disabilities, caring responsibilities, or the impact of the pandemic or the cost-of-living crisis. Many people are impacted by addiction. Many are living in Direct Provision.

Many people – an increasing number – find themselves homeless. These people cannot be ignored in the Irish education system. Community education can be a place of safety for them, and offer a way to learn that is tailored to encourage them to believe in themselves and discover their own potential. The Community Education Network (CEN) was established in 2007 by AONTAS. It is a network of independent community education providers who work together to share information and resources. Membership of the Community Education Network is free for AONTAS members.

Please note CEN membership is subject to criteria. All members must be local, self-managed, independent community education organisations committed to social change. We are thrilled to share AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation' - Community Education Against Disinformation Workbook, a vital resource co-authored by DP CEO Bobby McCormack! This powerful workbook designed to help adult and community educators explore how disinformation spreads, how it affects minoritised groups, and how we can all build critical thinking, empathy, and media literacy skills to resist... With practical tools and activities, this workbook helps adult learners sharpen their skills in identifying disinformation and promoting reliable information in their communities. Check it out:https://lnkd.in/eidBzpc7

Amazing! A vitally needed tool. I cant wait to read it. Delaware educators are turning a new page this fall with the launch of the state’s Early Literacy Plan, a multi-year initiative designed to boost reading skills for the youngest learners and support teachers with... https://lnkd.in/edCUSPWh We recently with with School Library Journal on a survey and it reveals that school librarians play a vital role in nurturing social awareness, decision-making and other SEL competencies through student research.

View our infographic to see how research fosters compassionate, confident learners. https://ow.ly/F7qv30sR6M9 We recently with with School Library Journal on a survey and it reveals that school librarians play a vital role in nurturing social awareness, decision-making and other SEL competencies through student research. View our infographic to see how research fosters compassionate, confident learners. https://ow.ly/VQRl30sR1JE ENHANCE seeks to empower adult learners by placing their voices at the forefront of education.

By creating participatory learning environments, we are reshaping the educational experience to build stronger connections with both society and the issues that matter most to learners. Spanning from December 2023 to May 2026, ENHANCE is a European Commission-funded project designed to amplify the voices of adult learners in education. By cultivating participatory learning environments, ENHANCE aims to empower learners to actively shape their educational experience, leading to higher engagement, improved outcomes, and stronger communities. The project brings together educational organisations, researchers, and practitioners across Europe to develop learner-centred resources. These resources are designed to help educators create more relevant, impactful learning experiences that truly empower adult learners. Through ENHANCE, we are working to transform adult education by providing the tools to help learners take control of their learning journey – making education more meaningful and engaging for all.

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