Developments & Modern Issues
Developments
Recent global events have shaped the way our practice is put in place. COVID-19 shook up the scene as we were unable to hold in person groups. This turned groups to meeting on Zoom or Teams instead which created a barrier to learning for some as they struggled with using a computer and logging on to Teams.
Conncecting Scotland was established for this purpose in May 2020, to help break down the digital barriers for engaging with the groups. The scheme produced over 61,000 devices to those who were in need of a device and this laid the path for better Digital Inclusion schemes.
(Forbes, 2022)
Global Citizenship
Within Adult Education​ we want to promote a feeling of citizenship within the local communities and with the wider world. This is done by highlighting issues that impact the wider world. One event that did show how close we are to the world is COVID-19 and the lockdowns that came with it. During that time, everyone was online and was viewing the news and being exposed to current issues such as inequalities, climate change and of course, COVID-19.
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This awareness and understanding is developed by Adult Educators encouraging critical thinking within sessions. According to (Milana and Tazzori, 2021), "citizenship also entitles an earth identity, or awareness of belonging to a worldwide community of destiny or common earthly fate."This highlights the importance of ensuring that our local communities have a feeling of global citizenship and has an understanding of current afairs and issues that impact the world.
(Milana and Tazzori, 2021)
Wellbeing
Ensuring that out Adult Learners are keeping well, CLD Teams have been offering Mental Health groups for both men and women. These groups were put in place in response to the COVID-19 lockdowns and the rising mental health crisis going on post-lockdown. In the Adult Learning Strategy, it was stated that "Lower income groups are at greater risk of suffering from depression, anxiety and loneliness and a high proportion of disabled people reported that they were worried about isolation during the pandemic."
This is is what has given rise to more of a focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing within groups and the rise of Men and Women's Space groups and is something that is identified within the strategy that "articipation in lifelong learning can impact positively on wellbeing, recovery from mental health difficulties and social integration."
(Scottish Government, 2022)
Sustainability
"In 2015 Scotland signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals. To ensure we are taking action to make us a more successful country, and at the forefront of this international agenda, it is vital that we ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."(Scottish Government, 2022)
The Sustainable Development Goals is a multi-nation agreement that all countries must meet the 17 goals for sustainability. Adult Education fits in well with this as we stirve to give all our learners information and knowledge on reducing inequalities and promoting equity, helping familieis get out of poverty, ensure all learners have access to quality education when needed and ensuring learners are aware of climate friendly practices. (United Nations, 2017)
