About Us
Background
Following a period of consultation with key stakeholders, including representatives of the Department of Education and Science, the Vocational Education Committees, adult literacy practitioners and students, a series of professional accredited higher education programmes was developed. There are now recognised higher education qualifications at two levels which cater for managers of adult education schemes and centres and tutors working directly with adult learners. These are currently known as the Higher Certificate in Arts in Literacy Development and the B.A. Ordinary in Arts in Adult Education. Almost 150 practitioners have achieved one of these qualifications since the project began and over 500 people have received accreditation for single modules as part of a Single Certificate Programme which was launched in 2000.
In addition to the existing programmes, a new honours degree programme which has also been specifically developed for literacy practitioners will be offered from September 2006:
NALA/WIT Strategic Plan 2004-2007
(PDF, 85KB)
Rationale for Professional Qualifications
The purpose of offering higher education qualifications for adult literacy tutors and managers is to ensure that adult literacy learners get the best possible service which will enable them to progress towards achieving their life goals. High quality, accredited training provides support for the people who work with those learners. It does this by helping practitioners to:
- Identify and promote good practice which has been developed by people working in the field
- Explore theories which underpin different aspects of adult literacy and adult education practice
- Relate theory to practice
- Create meaningful links with other education sectors.
These programmes also offer students the opportunity to
- Analyse the many changes which have taken place in the educational and social landscape in Ireland in recent years
- Examine their own response to current and future developments
- Clarify their own role and philosophy as adult educators
- Enhance their professional development and career prospects as adult educators.
In these ways, the availability of higher education qualifications ensures that a pool of professionally trained and qualified staff is available to support the adult education sector. This in turn provides a quality assurance measure for the sector and reinforces its professional and academic status as an equal partner with the other levels and branches of education in Ireland.
Blended Learning
An innovative feature of the project has been the introduction of a blended learning approach to the delivery and support of a number of modules. This was in an effort to provide flexible-modes of delivery and involves learning which combines online and face to face teaching strategies. Given the broad geographical spread of learners on the projects programmes, a blended approach provides for access and flexibility.
NALA/WIT Blended Learning Initiative (Executive Summary)
(PDF, 591KB)
