ERIC ED472375: Making the Connection: Some People, Programs and Ideas Highlighted by Adult Learners Week 2001.

103 Pages·2002·2.6 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 472 375
CE 084 321
Cross, John; Della, Jennie
AUTHOR
Making the Connection: Some People, Programs and Ideas
TITLE
Highlighted by Adult Learners Week 2001.
Adult Learning Australia, Inc., Jamison.
INSTITUTION
Australian National Training Authority, Melbourne.
SPONS AGENCY
ISBN-0-949145-33-5
ISBN
2002-00-00
PUB DATE
101p.; Additional sponsorship provided by Green Advertising,
NOTE
Collins Booksellers, and Ricoh Australia.
Reports
PUB TYPE
Descriptive (141)
EDRS Price MF01/PC05 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Access to Education; Administrator Attitudes; Adult
DESCRIPTORS
Education; *Adult Educators; *Adult Learning; Adult Literacy;
*Adult Programs; Adult Students; Community Development;
Community Programs; Conservation Education; Correctional
Education; Delivery Systems; Educational Attitudes;
Educational Needs; Educational Opportunities; Educational
Supply; Family Life Education; Foreign Countries; Home
Economics; Internet; *Lifelong Learning; *Linking Agents;
Literacy Education; Models; Museums; Music Education;
Personal Narratives; Postsecondary Education; Program
Descriptions; Radio; Student Attitudes; Teacher Attitudes;
Volunteers; Womens Education
IDENTIFIERS
*Australia; Learning Circles; Learning Communities; Learning
Society
ABSTRACT
This document profiles selected people, programs, and ideas
highlighted by Australia's Adult Learners Week 2001 and begins with these
papers: "Adult Learners Week: A National Celebration" (Ned Dennis); "A
Message from the Adult Learners Week Patron" (Peter Hollingworth); "A Message
of Support from the Prime Minister of Australia" (John Howard); and "A
Message from the Chief Executive Officer of ANTA (Australian National
Training Authority)" (Moira Scollay). Part 1, which explores the issues
facing adult education in Australia, contains the following papers:
"Challenges and Opportunities of a New Learning Framework" (Tony Brown); "No
Worries for Australian Learners?" (Bill Lucas); and "A Learning Society: What
Will It Be Like and How Will We Get There?" (Geraldine Doogue). Part 2,
presents the following shortlist entries from the Adult Learners Week 2001
Collins Booksellers Writing Competition: "My Life as a Loser" (Kirstie
D'Souza); "And Andrew Said" (Bill Clohesy); "Women's Work" (Megan Chappell);
"Rejuvenation" (Megan Rowe); "An Autumn Flower" (Elizabeth Cooke); "Adult
Learning, My Experience" (Joan Darnell); "Desire to Ride" (Greg Bogaerts);
"Evening Classes" (Rananda Rich); "Self Taught" (Tony Smith); "Zak's
Words" (Carmel Williams); "Gathering Momentum" (Andrea Mettenmeyer);
"Learning to Read" (Catherine James); and "I'm No Philosopher
But..." (Frances Overheu). Part 3 profiles the following outstanding learning
facilitators: Cathy Rainey; Jason Learner; Lorna Crane; Jane Brown; Ros
Butcher; Joan Johnson; and Robyn Ellis. Part 4 contains the following
papers
on outstanding learning programs: "Bachelor Survival--What Shall I Cook
Tonight?"; "Why Learning Circles? The Methodology and Its Benefits"; "From
Spice Racks to Homes: The Transportable Homes Project"; "Let's Play Fair:
Helping Adults to Create Positive Environments for Children"; "Getting
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
Community Volunteer Learning Right: The Skills for Nature Conservation
Program"; "Another Chance: Tasmanian Prison Services Education and Training
Program"; and "Tiwi Music Program." Part 5 contains the following papers on
outstanding learning providers: "Strengthening Communities--Boyup Brook
Telecentre"; "Melbourne Museum and Adult Learning"; "The Old and the New:
Lifelong Learning through Radio and the Internet"; "A National Training
Centre: Booroongen Djugun College"; "Creating a Learning Community: Morrison
House Inc"; "Smart Geelong: The Learning City"; and "Addressing Adult
Learners' Needs: Kangan Batman TAFE (Technical and Further Education)." Part
6 summarizes the major activities of Adult Learners Week 2001.
(MN)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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making the connection
some people. programs and ideas highlighted by adult learners week 2001
Adult Learning Australia
PO Box 308, Jamison Centre, ACT 2614
Tel:
02 6251 7933
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.ala.asn.au
Edited by John Cross.
Written by John Cross and Jennie Della with contributions and assistance from Judy Stanton, David Pearce. Adriana Beltrame, Bronwyn Ryan,
Sally Dabner, Helen Soane, Tony Ryan, Shanli Wong, Jan Simmons and the State and Territory Co-ordinators listed at the back of the book.
Other authors are credited throughout the book.
Adult Learning Australia gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of Adult Learners Week 2001 provided by ANTA, Green Advertising. Collins
Booksellers and Ricoh Australia.
Adult Learning Australia also gratefully acknowledges the Centre for Adult and Community Education (CAE), Victoria, for allowing their
photographs to be used on the cover of this publication and on Adult Learners Week banners.
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Adult Learning Australia or any other organisation associated
with Adult Learners Week. Articles profiling people, programs or organisation do not represent endorsements or guarantees by Adult Learning
Australia or by any other organisation associated with Adult Learners Week.
Design by: Green Advertising (15692)
Printing: New Millennium Print
ISBN: 0 949145 33 5
BEST COPY
AVAILABLE
4
CONTENTS
Adult Learners Week
A National Celebration
2
A Message from the Adult Learners Week Patron
4
A Message from the Prime Minister of Australia
5
A Message from the Australian National Training Authority
6
Part I
Issues Facing Adult Learning in Australia
Part II
The Learning Experience
21
Part III
Outstanding Learning Facilitators
51
Part IV
Outstanding Learning Programs
57
Part V
Outstanding Learning Providers
71
.
Part VI
Adult Learners Week
85
5
ADULT LEARNERS WEEK
A NATIONAL CELEBRATION
of the Commonwealth of Australia
In 2001 Australia celebrated its seventh Adult Learners Week. An opportunity to focus on the
and the Patron of Adult Learners
achievement and the potential of all forms of adult learning in Australia. Adult Learners Week
activities
Other
co-
key
Week.
2001 was the most successful ever staged in this country.
ordinated by Adult Learning Australia
at a national
included the
level
management of the two national
Most Adult Learners Week activities
awards and the
staging
are presented by learning providers the
of
national ALW seminar. Focusing on a
ACE Centres, neighbourhood houses,
Learning Society and asking the
telecentres,
community
colleges,
questions "what will it look like?" and
community groups, museums, TAFEs
"how will we make it happen?", a
from around the country.
and so on
highlight of the seminar was a lively
Using promotional resources supplied
open forum moderated
by Adult Learning Australia, and, by ABC
in some cases, grants administered
presenter, Geraldine Doogue.
by state or territory governments,
The national co-ordination team was
providers use the Week to
local
also responsible for the tour of two
present and highlight a range of
Ned Dennis. Chair of the Adult Learners
Bill
international guest speakers:
Week 2001 National Coordinating Committee
their
local
that
activities
give
Lucas, Executive Director of the
speaking at the National Launch. National
community an opportunity to discover
Campaign for Learning (UK), and
Museum of Australia, Canberra.
the learning experiences that are
(photo: Eddie Misic)
Wesley Payne McClendon.
Jr.,
a
available to everyone.
Clinton
former
the
adviser
to
Adult Learners Week co-ordinators
Government on literacy issues and an
The Week is co-ordinated at a national
organisational change consultant.
around the country.
level by Adult Learning Australia, the
peak body for adult learning providers
Each state and territory has its own
The national co-ordinationteam is
and facilitators and a voice for adult
Adult Learners Week Coordinator, who,
responsible for staging some key
learners. The main role at this level is
with
partnership
state-based
in
Adult Learners Week activities as
to decide, in consultation with a wide
Organisations. arranges state launches,
well, such as the National Launch.
award ceremonies and
range of stakeholders, the key themes
the
gives
This year. the National Launch was
for
the the
to
manage
Week,
national campaign a regional focus.
held in Canberra and the Week was
communications strategy, and to
officially
launched
Dr
Peter
by
While we have no way of recording
provide information resources for
Hollingworth, AC OBE GovernorTGenera I
how many people actually participate
Making the Connection
in ALW events, there were some good
population adult learning has a 'high
Adult Learners Week 2002 will take
signs of increased participation in
appeal',
while 39% feel that adult
place 2-8 September. Once again the
2001. The number of entries to the
learning is
Week will provide an opportunity for
'of some interest'. This is
Collins Booksellers Writing and the
heartening
for
news
everyone to celebrate. promote and
everyone
Photo
Ricoh
Competitions
was
advance all forms of adult learning in
working in the adult learning sector.
outstanding, with entries coming
Australia. Nobody needs an invitation
The Week has been able to achieve
from the Tiwi Islands in Australia's far
to become involved, anyone can
market penetration far in excess of
north, to Bruny Island in Tasmania.
present or participate in an Adult
what might be expected given the tiny
Usage of the Website shot up too,
Learners Week activity, and the
almost doubling from the previous
budgets that are involved at all levels
National and State co-ordinators are
year, and calls to the 1300 phone
of co-ordination. All the people who
there to help.
number rose steadily towards the
have worked so tirelessly to present
Week. We have received many reports
Adult Learners Week activities over
from
around
the
country
of
Ned Dennis
the years can be proud of the status
well
successful,
Adult
attended
that the Week now holds within
President, Adult Learning Australia
Learners Week activities
open days.
Australia.
and Chair, Adult Learners Week 2001
exhibitions, shopping centre displays,
National Coordinating Committee
This book contains some of the best
free classes and lots more.
ideas, people and programs to have
By all measures. Adult Learners Week
come to
fore during Adult
the
is achieving considerable recognition
Learners Week 2001. Here you'll find
for itself and, through its activities.
some of the best entries in thiC011ins
for
learning as a concept
adult
Booksellers Writing Competition and
generally. An AC Nielsen survey,
in the Ricoh Photo Competition. You
conducted by the Australian National
more
For
information
about
will also find profiles of some of the
Training Authority (ANTA) as part of a
Adult
Learners
visit
Week
Adult Learners Week award winners
formal evaluation of Adult Learners
www.adultlearnersweek.org.
or
from around the country. The book
Week, has revealed that one in four
phone [phone]. For contact
has been conceived to serve as a
Australians were aware of the term,
details
of
any
organisations
resource for inspiration and ideas
'Adult Learners Week', with around 1
featured in this book. call the
five aware of this year's ALW
in
that has a relevance well beyond
publicity. The study also revealed that
National Adult
actual
the
timeframe
Learners Week
Adult
of
for 55% of the Australian adult
Learners Week.
Coordinator on 02 6251 9887.
13
7
As Governor-General, and as the National
A MESSAGE FROM
Patron of Adult Learners 'leek 2000. I am
THE ADULT LEARNERS WEEK PATRON
very pleased to send this message of
those
all
goodwill
to
support
and
His Excellency the Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE
participating in its various activities.
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Adult Learners Week is a time to
computer are
places
all employment opportunities. It can help
where
celebrate and promote adult learning
learning is occurring.
their
personal
own
in
people
and education in Australia. It aims to
development and enable them to
encourage more adult Australians to
Australians have a positive attitude to
make new friends.
continue to develop their knowledge
learning associating it with words like
'discovery', 'finding out new things',
and skills, by changing the common
We need therefore also to ensure that
perception that learning ceases with
and 'working with others'. The Week
learning opportunities are available to
Australians so that some are
the end of school or University.
celebrates the achievements of adults
all
who have
with
continued their
not left behind in the information age
Adult Learners Week highlights the
learning or who have returned to
and the knowledge economy. Those
diverse places where adults learn.
who have had negative learning
learning, often overcoming obstacles
The classroom, the campfire, the
experiences in the past in particular
on the way. Their achievements serve
club, the sewing group, the farm, the
to inspire others to follow their example
need encouragement to take that first
gallery,
library,
toolshed, kitchen,
and chart their own learning journey.
step back.
neighbourhood
centre,
and
zoo,
learning
becoming
Lifelong
We have many issues confronting us
is
increasingly important in a world
as Australians that can only benefit
informed
subject to constant change, whether
from
reasoned
and
in terms of technology, the economy,
discussion, from learning together.
ADL
or society in general. If Australia is to
I wish Adult Learners Week well, and
LEA]
capitalise on such change, then it is
to all those involved in the wide range
essential that all Australians remain
of activities, forums, debates and
open to new ways of doing things
celebrations I wish you every success.
and this entails a recognition that we
will be learning throughout our lives.
tI
Petu,
The value of lifelong learning not only
benefits the individual: it extends to
Governor-General of the
the family and the next generation,
Adult Learners Week patron, His Excellency
Commonwealth of Australia
the Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC
and enhances involvement in the local
OBE launches Adult Learners Week at the
community and the wider society.
National Museum of Australia, Canberra.
Adult learning can help to create
(photo: Eddie Misic)
:loo the Careection
A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT
FROM
THE PRIME MINISTER OF
AUSTRALIA
Mr John Howard
gives me great pleasure
It
ongoing passion for learning. In an
send
to
increasingly complex modern society
greetings to participants in Adult Learners
a commitment to lifelong learning
Week from 2
8 September 2001.
benefit both individuals and Australia
understand that Adult Learners
I
as a whole.
Week is now an international event
send my best wishes to everyone
with Australia one of over 40 countries
I
involved in Adult Learners Week 2001
participating in the first International
and wish you success in your future
Adult Learners Week in 2000. This
learning endeavours.
year participants in Australia will
celebrate a second international week
by taking part in a range of diverse
J( ni' Finw.io
and challenging activities based on
the theme of lifelong learning and
Prime Minister of Australia
Australia as a learning society.
Adult Learners Week is organised by
Adult Learning Australia. the peak
organisation for adult and community
education providers. TheAssociation
undertakes a
range of
activities
including
an
annual
national
conference and facilitating a number
of special interest networks focused
on people with disabilities and cross-
cultural education. The Association's
Adult Learners Week patron and Governor
work
supported
General of Australia, Dr Peter Hollingworth,
is
by
many
meets members of an Adult
Migrant
Australians from all walks of life who
English Service (AMES) class at the National
recognise the value of formal and
Launch of Adult Learners Week 2001,
informal
learning
throughout an
National Museum of Australia, Canberra.
(Photo: Eddie Misic)
individual's lifetime and who share an
9