July 2023 Our Summer Social
On a beautiful day, the 19th of July 2023, the Adult Learners' Forum for Aberdeenshire (ALFA) group organised a summer social. They met and got to know each other better and identify some of the priority issues in Adult Learning. Over a lovely lunch of sandwiches and homemade Madagascar vegetable pakora contributed by one of our ALFA members, the group agreed to examine some topics identified at the Celebration of Learning event in March in more detail.
ALFA digital discussions on adult learning priority issues
At the Summer social the group highlighted several things they wanted to explore further together in relation to adult learning needs, promotion, learning spaces (online and offline),etc.
How did you find out about these adult learning opportunities?
-
Online - I knew the course I wanted to do so looked for a local provider - found that online eventually - time consuming and digital navigations skills. - Through CLD Email Drops
- From family / Youth work
- leaflets at local shows with some information
- I found out about CLD thorough Aberdeenshire's Mental Health Improvement and Wellbeing Service (MHIWS), and I found Confidence to Cook through Ed while I was learning with him over CLD. I also learned about Power Tools course through Aberdeenshire's Employability service
- need to know what you want online
- CLD Facebook
- Learned about MIB at craft fare
- I found Business Gateway through online research but need to be computer savvy
- Know about Social Media Platforms but don't want to use is as much as many do to share etc. Too many platforms, hard to know which one when - changes with trends etc.
What makes a good online learning space ?
- Options
- Hybrid / Blended learning
- 1:1/small/large groups
- Flexibility
- local/national/global participation
- removes the barriers of childcare and travel to access learning
What does not make a good online learning space?
- Poor connectivity Communication Accessibility (Zoom/ Microsoft Teams /Google Meet)
- Poor facilitation
- Lack of participant engagement
- Cliques
- Exclusion
- Some people find it easier to concentrate on learning when they are in a physical space away from their home
What are your learning needs?
- Personal Development
- Social Media Learning
- Parenting Skills
- Core Skills (Literacy / Numeracy / ICT / Working with Others / Problem Solving)
- SQA Accreditation
- Family Learning
What adult learning experiences have you engaged in, in your community and elsewhere?
- Workshops
- Wellbeing festival
- Crafting and creativity
- Confidence to Cook
- Steps Course
- Cake Decorating
- Welding
- Ceramics
- Pottery
How did you find out about these Adult Learning opportunities?
- Online
- Social Media platforms
- CLD Email Drops
- Leaflets at local shows with some information
- Aberdeenshire’s Mental Health Improvement and Wellbeing Service (MHIWS)
- Aberdeenshire’s Employability Service
- CLD Facebook page
Our Supporting CLD Staff
ALFA members thanked Simone Sinclair who has supported the group from its establishment in 2021 with a bouquet of flowers at the Learners’ Celebration event and welcomed Clare Taylor-Brown and Natalie Cooper as their new CLD support team.
If you would like to find out more about ALFA or would like to meet the group to discuss adult learning matters, please contact:
Clare.TaylorBrown@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01467 536968
Natalie.Cooper@Aberdeenshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01467 539310
