Age no barrier to learning at the University of York
Posted on 20 May 2005
The event is part of the UK's largest festival and celebration of adult learning, established 14 years ago and co-ordinated by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).
Adult Learners' Week, which is backed by the Department for Education and Skills, the European Social Fund and Learndirect, runs from 21 to 28 May. The University's events are organised by its Centre for Lifelong Learning and Directorate of Facilities Management (DFM).
We hope that this week encourages potential adult learners to recognise that learning should be an enjoyable event
Iain Barr
Iain Barr of the University's Centre for Lifelong Learning said: "For many adult learners, stepping back into a classroom is itself one of the hardest things to do - we hope that this week encourages potential adult learners to recognise that learning should be an enjoyable event, and that there are a diverse range of learning opportunities available to them, right on their doorstep."
Heslington residents will be able to sample a range of IT-based learning activities at the University's Drop In And Learn (DIAL) learning centre for manual staff, which was opened last year by the Chancellor, Greg Dyke.
The session for local people will be at DIAL on Main Street, Heslington on 25 May between 6 pm and 9 pm, and specialist help and advice will be offered.
During the week, University staff will have the chance to try out IT-based taster sessions as well as interactive 'themed' information sessions with help from staff and student volunteers. A selection of 'non IT' stands featuring interactive activities and information, will be on display in Home Farm, in Main Street, Heslington.
The training programme for the week will include numeracy, literacy and basic IT, ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), CLAIT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) and keyboard skills. Computer based garden and DIY programmes, family history and other "non standard" IT applications will also be available to try.
Meanwhile, the University is offering free one-off lunchtime taster sessions for all staff between 12.15pm and 1pm in Derwent College.
The sessions will cover the Role of Women in Medieval Society, the art of Thomas Gainsborough, Lady Jane Digby - The Scandalous Life of an Early 19th Century Adventuress, Gilbert and Sullivan and archive film clips of York from the Yorkshire Film Archive.
A highlight of the week will be the NIACE Yorkshire and Humber regional Adult Learners' Awards ceremony at the National Railway Museum on Thursday 26 May where Greg Dyke will present the awards to recognise the achievements of adult learners.
Notes to editors:
- The IT taster sessions will take place at Home Farm between 10am and 9pm from 24 to 26 May and between 10am and 1pm on 27 May.