“are we there yet ?” the adult learning journey Learning for All Conference 14th March 2012 Kenny Anderson

Scotland’s got talent How? ‘Determination really’ Why? ‘To get the education I didn’t get at school’ ‘Yearning to do something with my life’ ‘Get a good job’ Changes? ‘My sister used to say “get a grip” but now she’s telling people that her sister is going to University’ ‘I was a painter and decorator, I am going to make a great nurse’ Glad you returned to education? ‘Absolutely’ ‘Definitely’ ‘Without a doubt’ Best bits? ‘human biology,’ ‘self discovery’ ‘confidence’ ‘making friends’ How? ‘Determination really’ ‘Support was immense by everyone at College they pushed me’

are we there yet is there a distinctive learning journey for the adult student and the adult education practitioner

education throughout the life course “an outrageous idea” “an individual can become more and more of an adult, but there is no guarantee that ageing automatically brings with it maturity”

what can we do for our adult students We like our age difference. Some of us remember the Milk Tray Man, some of us don’t. We hadn’t studied for years. We are our maths teacher on a Friday afternoon who made us love the subject. We are our tutors who supported us when we thought we’d never complete the programme. We are our children who helped around the house. We are our partners who understood. We will be graduates and work as primary and secondary school teachers, doctors, dentists scientists, physiotherapists, radiographers, archaeologists, psychologists, nurses, translators, social workers and so much more.

Contact us Kenny Anderson - Director Scottish Wider Access Programme – West Consortium 190 Cathedral Street Glasgow G4 0ND Tel: 0141 553 2471 Email: swapwest@btconnect.com Web: http://www.scottishwideraccess.org Moodle: http://moodle.swapwest.org