The Learner Engagement Tool has been produced to support Adult Community Learning (ACL) providers across Wales to develop their approach to learner engagement. It has been developed to support the sector’s compliance with Medr’s national Learner Engagement Code, which applies to all providers of tertiary education. However, it does not aim simply to support compliance.
The Tool sets out a model for self-evaluation and action planning which is grounded in ACL’s long-established commitment to empowering learners and communities, the distinctive features and strengths of ACL practice and delivery, and the needs of ACL learners.
How has the Tool been developed?
Medr commissioned Learning & Work Institute to work with ACL providers to co-create the resource.
It draws on evidence and insights from:
- A rapid review of published evidence from current research and practice on learner engagement in decision-making in ACL in Wales, together with potentially useful models from elsewhere in Europe
- Ten in-depth interviews with adult community learning providers, chosen to illustrate a range of evolving practice in learner engagement at both provider and Partnership levels
- Two in-person workshops for providers, to review the resource and provide insights and suggestions at key stages of its development
- Detailed feedback from four adult community learning providers who piloted the draft self-evaluation matrix and action planning tool
The Tool is divided into five high-level domains which reflect key themes of learner engagement in ACL:
- Being strategic
- Empowering learners
- Promoting inclusion
- Building capacity
- Achieving impact
Explore the Tool
Strengthening Learner Engagement in Adult Community Learning
This Tool has been produced to support Adult Community Learning (ACL) providers across Wales to develop their approach to learner engagement.
Go to resourceNational Adult Learner Forum
Alongside the development of the Learner Engagement Tool, Learning and Work Institute has also been working with Medr and the ACL sector in Wales to pilot a National Learner Forum
The integration of learner voice is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone for fostering a responsive and equitable education system.
Putting the learner at the heart of the system, focusing on their experience and wellbeing, is a strategic priority for Medr. There is a focus on developing responses around learner feedback, setting up structures to engage directly with learners and developing a more joined-up approach to learner engagement and learner voice across the whole tertiary education sector.
The project was structured around:
- A rapid review of literature associated with learner voice and learner engagement – this included some desk research, a review of Estyn Inspection reports, and discussions with partnerships that had established learner voice programmes
- Development of workshop guidance to support ACL providers/tutors to prepare learners with skills around advocacy and representation and to prepare them for participation in a Learner Forum. This built on the resources developed for the Taith Empowering Learner Ambassadors programme.
The model that developed was trialled with ACL Partnerships in Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Môn, and Rhondda Cynon Taf. Workshops for learners were delivered to identify Learner Forum representatives alongside facilitated group discussion to gather feedback from learners around four themes.
- Motivations to learn
- The barriers to adult learning engagement
- Exploring the impact of learning and wider benefits
- Future learning needs
