WHAT IS LEARNING?

Tell me and I forget
Show me and I may remember
Involve me and I’ll understand

Learning is for life. Whether we attend a formal or informal course, we are constant students and teachers. Each one of us develops and grows through our life experiences and we pass this learning on to others through our interactions. Work-related study has never been so easy as it is now. There are so many opportunities to learn. I have always enjoyed teaching and training adults because of the exchange of experience and wisdom. As an adult, you have a great deal to offer when you come on a course as a student. In return, you’ve the opportunity to grow and develop as a person, a chance to learn new skills and gain fresh knowledge. Ultimately it is an opportunity for you to gain confidence in yourself and discover new skills. From here you can set goals for a fresh career start and begin to take greater pride in your achievements.

When we were at school, we had to learn what we were told. We may have had limited choice over subject matter. Consequently, our motivations could have been low. We may not have been good at a subject, we may have disliked a particular teacher, we may have been humiliated or laughed at. Many adults have negative memories of their early schooldays and returning to study or education can seem daunting.

However, as adults we have choice and freedom. We can set our own goals and work out strategies for achieving them. We can take control of our learning and this opens up wide and exciting fields of opportunity and discovery. Did you know:

• training amongst the self employed has risen steadily since 1984
• those between 35–44 receive more training than those aged between 25–34
• employers increasingly rely on ‘growing their own’ trained workforce.

Education and training means1

• updating existing skills and knowledge
• learning new skills
• gaining qualifications
• networking
• showing you are using your time well during unemployment
• being stimulated
• being challenged
• gaining confidence
• building a routine
• meeting new people — a sense of belonging.

Useful learning skills

• problem solving
• taking action
• questioning
• finding information
• selecting
• synthesis
• memorising
• observation.

Developing study skills

Planning your time

You may need to draw up a timetable based on allocation of available time for revision and consolidation. Family commitments and social life need to be taken into account. Try and set aside a period for reading each day, ideally taking notes at the same time.

Using textbooks

You can quickly get the feel of a book by obtaining an overview from the preface, by selecting a topic from the index and noting the author’s methods of dealing with it. When looking at a new textbook:

• look at chapter headings
• look at section headings in each chapter
• skim some sentences and look at diagrams.

Other methods of reading include:

• ‘active reading’ from a textbook using the 3R method — read, recite, record
• Robinson’s SQ3r method — survey, question, read, recite, review
• Pauk’s OK5R method — overview, key ideas, read, record, recite, review, reflect.

The marking of your own textbooks to assist in memorisation is a good learning aid. Read sections or paragraphs fully before underlining and use symbols in consistent fashion to mark matter requiring further study.

Hints for remembering

Recital, review and practice in retrieval contribute to long-term remembering. Seek associations within the subject area:

Verbal	—	group things together
	—	pair things together
	—	link with things you already know
	—	make up a story linking things together
Visual	—	group things together and visualise them
	—	write a list and visualise it
Repetition	—	write out the words a number of times
	—	repeat aloud a number of times
	—	read over and over again.

Translate what you read into mind movies. Make them as clear and graphic as possible and play them through in your head. Always try to visualise what you want to remember. A useful technique for remembering key facts involves getting yourself into a state of relaxation and then seeing in your imagination the key words you want to remember being written by a giant hand. Each word should be written in capital letters with a contrast between the words and the paper on which they are written. Work on a maximum of five words at a time.

Conditions for good recall

• you tend to remember the last thing you read
• the more you test yourself the more you learn
• the more you concentrate the more you learn
• the more important the material is to you, the more you learn
• your state of mind affects what you learn
• the more you can relate the material to be learned to other things, the more you learn.

Search for pattern and structure and do not learn everything by rote. Understanding is a more valuable aid in long-term remembering. Finally, be keen.

Note taking

Why	—	for reference, revision, to restructure meaning, as an aide memoire, to outline essay
Where	—	in note books, binders, on cards
When	—	after reading, while reading, during or after lecture/ radio/TV
How	—	type, write, use standard or personal abbreviation, use colour, diagrams, sentences, symbols, headings, underline, numbering
What	—	main ideas, key words, essential details, sources, references.

Ask yourself

• What do I want to learn?
• When do I want to learn?
• Who do I want to learn with?
• Why do I want to learn?
• Where do I want to learn?
• How do I want to learn?

Checklist

Do I want:

• 1.A course which prepares me for paid work by helping to build my confidence?
• 2.A course which gives me practice with interviews and jobsearch?
• 3.A course for leisure?
• 4.A course which will prepare me to set up business on my own?
• 5.A course which will enable me to acquire new skills or retrain so that I can change direction?
• 6.A course which will help me to update my skills and knowledge so that I can return to my profession?

BASIC EDUCATION

This is useful for improving basic skills such as reading, writing or maths. It is also useful for people whose first language is not English.

ESOL

These initials stand for English for Speakers of Other Languages. The courses are designed to build confidence in handling English in everyday situations.

FURTHER EDUCATION

Further education and tertiary colleges offer work-related courses for both post-school leavers and mature students. Courses run full and part-time. Academic qualifications include GCSEs, A levels and A/S levels. Courses might include beauty therapy, hairdressing, engineering, furniture restoration, training, building or computer technology.

ADULT EDUCATION

Your local further education college is likely to have an adult education department. Often sixth form colleges run adult education classes as well. The traditional view of adult education is one of afternoon classes run for old ladies on flower arranging. In reality, courses run on a weekly basis, usually for two hours at a time. Courses are held in the morning, afternoon and evening. Often there are Saturday classes as well. Subjects range from leisure interests through to computers and word processing and go on to qualification and certificate levels.

If you are thinking about a career change, it might be an idea to consider a leisure course. The costs and commitment are low — and it might open new doors. If you are on benefit, you are likely to get a substantial reduction in fees. Courses might include massage, aromatherapy, computers, counselling, catering, art or languages.

The Workers’ Educational Association

The WE A runs part-time courses in response to local needs.

ACCESS COURSES

These courses provide access to higher education for students who do not have the formal qualifications for entry. They are foundation courses and are run on a flexible basis with additional help in study skills. Some courses are linked to a particular degree course and will give you a greater opportunity of being offered a place at university upon completion.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Universities offer courses leading to degrees or Higher National Certificates or Diplomas. Mature students are specifically encouraged. Courses might include accounting, chemistry, computing, electronics and management.

DISTANCE LEARNING

The Open University

The OU is one example of a distance learning institution that offers certificate, diploma and degree courses to anyone. You do not need qualifications to be accepted onto a course and learning takes place via the TV, radio, textbooks and other material. Each student has a local OU tutor and there is usually a summer school to back up the learning process.

ONLINE LEARNING

Online learning is computer-based and delivered through the internet. You receive and submit assignments via e-mail and you can interact with students online. News can be posted to bulletin boards, tutor material can be downloaded from the internet and you can access virtual libraries. You can even get an MBA without leaving home!

Examples of online training can be found at the following.

JER Group http://www.jergroup.com/

This site offers online courses for the internet learner in small business internet workshops, technical writing, creative writing, digital graphics and more.

Outline Learning http://www.onlinelearning.net/

Online Learning is an online supplier of continuing higher education, dedicated to providing busy professionals with the tools needed to pursue their lifelong learning objectives. Choose from a wide variety of certificated and sequential online programme and courses designed with your career in mind. Visit the ‘available classes’ page for more details.

HOW TO FIND OUT ABOUT COURSES

Careers Office

This service is available in most towns and provides advice and information for young people and adults.

Jobcentres

The local Jobcentre will be able to provide information on government training and re-training schemes in your area.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Your local CAB should be able to provide guidance in the types of courses available in your area and possible contact points plus advice on dealing with debts.

Educational institutions

Adult education centres, further education colleges, polytechnics and universities all publish a prospectus at least once a year if not more. Some institutions have open days prior to enrolment where you can talk to the tutors.

Library

Most libraries have reference sections which may have substantial course information. Leaflets and prospectuses may also be found there.

NVQs

National Vocational Qualifications are recognised both in this country and in Europe and can be transferred across the vocational sphere. NVQs are employer led, which means that the lead bodies (the official body which heads each vocational sphere) work with industry and commerce to set the national standards for competence. NVQs are made up of units which can be built up over a period of time. You can choose which unit you wish to do and gain a certificate for each unit. Assessment is usually work-based and you can take an NVQ at your own speed.

Projects

• find out what courses are available that are of interest to you and whether you have the qualifications to do them
• find out if the qualifications on offer lead to a job
• find out the job market following qualification.

COSTS AND FUNDING

If you are considering returning to education, you may need to take the following costs into account:

• course fee
• exam fee
• books and equipment
• travel
• childcare.

Grants

The amount of money awarded for living expenses is income linked. For students living at home, this will be related to the income of parents. For those who have been married at least two years before course commencement, this will be related to their partner’s income.

• mandatory grants are available for full-time courses in higher education
• discretionary grants are available for full-time further education courses
• if you are over 26 and have earned at least £12,000 in the three years prior to a course, you may qualify for a Mature Student grant.

Postgraduate Awards

These come in the form of a bursary or a studentship. To qualify, you need a first degree.

Claiming benefit

Entitlement to benefit for students varies according to their circumstances, the course they are following and their income. You can find information relating to students on the following benefits on the Department for work and pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk/gbi/5a641d3.htm:

• Child Benefit
• Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Working Families’ Tax Credit

Students may also qualify for assistance with childcare costs and NHS expenses.

Career development loans

This type of loan has evolved through the Department of Employment and certain major banks. You can borrow £300 – £8,000 to cover a percentage of course fees and the cost of books and childcare. You can take a full-time, part-time, open or distance learning course as long as it is related to the kind of work you want to do and lasts no longer than two years. Career Development Loans Information Line Freephone 0800 585 505.

Sources of financial assistance

Tax relief	—	if taking a NVQ — covers tuition and most materials
Career development loans	—	covers 80% of course fees plus materials
Council tax concessions	—	students are exempt
Discretionary awards	—	FE grants
Educational trusts and charities	—	usually small part-funding
HE access funds
FE access funds
Trade union sponsorship	—	small grants
European Social Fund	—	reduced course fees, allowances for childcare and materials.

Course checklist

• What entry qualifications do I need?
• How long does the course last?
• How many hours of study are involved both at college and at home?
• What is the cost?
• Are grants available?
• What are the financial effects on benefits?
• What can I do about childcare provision?
• How far will I have to travel?
• How do I apply?