EPALE - Elektronska platforma za obrazovanje odraslih u Evropi

Voice of the learner 2.0 project

The project is a partnership (subsidized by Erasmus+) between AONTAS (Ireland), Stichting ABC (Netherlands) and CINOP (Netherlands). Within the project we are creating a model for participation and implementation of the 'voice of the learner' in adult education. More about what the project entails can be found at: Voice of the learner 2.0 | EPALE (europa.eu)

Study visit to the Netherlands

In March, the Dutch delegation traveled to Ireland to experience how they are working at the national and regional level to represent the voice of the learner. At that time we visited the National FET forum, a couple of communication education centers and SOLAS (the government body that deals with adult education).

Now in June it was the turn of the Irish to visit the Netherlands. Among other things, the Irish were interested in how the learner's voice is embedded in legal frameworks and policies. We traveled all over the country in search of great practical examples in the Netherlands. Below are the inspiring examples/best practices:

• Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
  Here we talked about the national Count on Skills (Tel mee met Taal) program, that focusses on adult education, and various initiatives around Lifelong Development, for example the LLO collective that is currently being worked on in two pilot regions. The difference in how the Netherlands and Ireland are organized was also discussed. In Ireland, there are 16 regions (Education and Training Boards) that are central to the organization of adult education. In the Netherlands, both the 35 labor market regions and the 355 municipalities play a role.
   
• Taalkracht and the 800
  Here we discussed how they represent the voice of the learner in the educational process. It starts with a good intake and the creation of a personal learning plan, focusing on the personal learning needs. There are also several opportunities to collect feedback from students, and questionnaires are also used.
   
• JOB MBO
  JOB (national advocacy organization for all MBO students) discussed how student participation is shaped within the MBO. One of the initiatives that contribute to representing the voice of the learners is the JOB monitor. This monitor is conducted every two years and completed by more than half of all MBO students.
   
• Werkzaak Rivierenland (work-development company)
  During the visit to Werkzaak, we met a learner. She found writing formal emails difficult, and told us how she is helped with this by Werkzaak with a personalized learning program.

A more detailed (English) report of the visit can be found via: A more detailed (English) report of the visit can be found via: Enhancing Learner Voice Across Europe: the “Voice of the Learner 2.0” Project | Aontas

What's next?In the coming months we are going to elaborate the model based on all the input we collected. To be continued! Do you have input or want to think along? Feel free to email to: ADelft@cinop.nl

What's next?
In the coming months we are going to draft the model based on all the input we collected. To be continued! Do you have input or want to think along? Feel free to email to: ADelft@cinop.nl