Routes or cul-de-sacs

What assists learner progression?

Tuesday 20 May 2003
The Professional Centre, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6

Learner progression is often promoted as a desirable aim, but what does the term ‘progression’ actually mean?

In policy documents it usually means movement in a linear upward direction to a higher-level course or programme of study.  But adult learning pathways are characterised by diversity and many learners choose, for a number of reasons, to stay in courses or programmes at the same level, or to move backwards from formal to non-formal learning. 

  • Should such moves be equally valued and supported?
  • What conditions and mechanisms are in place to help learners move to other levels of learning and other learning institutions?
  • Current policy measures aim to foster the growth of progression partnerships and pathways in order to help learners move with greater ease between different forms and levels of learning and between different types of learning environment.  But can they? 
  • Do current structures create islands or bridges?

The conference will have input from researchers who have explored these questions and practitioners who have developed programmes and procedures to assist learners shift between different courses, learning levels and learning environments.

This event will be of interest to:

  • Managers and practitioners within in FE, HE and Adult and Community Learning
  • Members of Learning and Skills Councils
  • Voluntary and community education providers and tutors
  • Guidance workers

A programme and booking form is available on:

http://www.niace.org.uk/Conferences/Progression.htm

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