Learning in Networks and challenges related to the

competence development of educators

5th Nordic Conference on Adult Learning

Nordic Network for Adult Learning www.nordvux.net

Agenda

• Nordic AE cooperation• Networks as:

policy promotersadded value to projects and local initiativeseffective and efficient response to needspool of resources from different sectorsinterest awakeners and motivatorssupport to staff development

• Network-based adult educator training and further training

Nordic Network for Adult Learning

State of art• Nordic countries share a strong record of

public policy that aims to promote adult learning;

• Foster favorable structural conditions that ensure easier access and more flexibility;

• Lower, less barriers to learning; • Support the vertical and horizontal mobility

in education and work using RPL and validation.

There is still a need for a more goal-oriented strategy which strives to further develop

creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in Nordic education systems

(Nordisk Ministerråd and Huset Mandag Morgen, 2011)

HOW to create something new with limited resources?

NCM: it is important

• to use everyone’s competences, and build on what we know and experience we have

• to pool the knowledge and resources, extract new ideas and utilize them

• to create something new – use and combine the building blocks in a new way

• to use different arenas for learning and in a collaborative way

• A reactive activity (helping adults and organisations to adapt to the changes that have already taken place),

• A proactive activity (helping adults and organisations to anticipate future trends and situations), or

• An innovative or change oriented activity (helping adults and organisations to create knowledge and competencies which are a necessary condition for any change and/or development to take place).(Manninen, 1998)

How to address challenges:

Recommendation• Different stakeholders

ensure: more active participation, better products and outcomes, better guarantee for funding.

• Organisations may be inspired to take up new roles.

• Jyri Manninen, University of Eastern Finland (FI)

• Anne Liveng, Roskilde University (DK)

• Hróbjartur Árnason, Iceland University (IS)

• Ingegerd Green, org. development consultant (SE)

Nordic AE networks:Set focus on specific and

prioritized fields of interest for Nordic gov.

Initiate development work: effective and efficient response to current and emerging themes

Have access to expertise, collective knowledge, free and fast flow of information

Give added value to projects / national / local initiatives through broad dissemination

Can attract interest /create an opinion and foster changeIs an economically efficient (more for less), inclusive and flexible way of working; Formulate evidence based policy suggestionsSynergies with other networks / levels

Nordic expert network on validation

2005: consensus of all 5 Nordic countries about the high priority of RPL issues

2006 – 2007: Structure and methodologydevelopment; learning practice exchange

2008: survey of e-tools, visibility to existing resources and expertise

2009 - 2010: Agreed policy work: 15 Nordic recommendations to the decision makers

Nordic expert network on validation

2011 – 2012: Professional standards and competence development in validation

2011 – 2012: Mapping of the existing validation research attracts attention from outside the network

2012: synergies with EU work through the consultation process for the European recommendation on validation

• Transparency of networks:Purposeful and organized learning; the purpose and benefits from the network have to be explicit; reflecting on own needs in relation to those of others • Dynamic nature of networksNetworks need generous support in terms of time (from members); commitment (from member organisations, meeting places (face-to-face and virtual), money / positive attitude from the decision makers or sponsors• Flexibility of networksWork process as well as results / high standard products are important. Motivation to contribute: same interests and/ or mutual benefits

Conditions and benefits

Networks a resource

Immediate benefits from networking: opening up adult education practice and research to inspiration from other fields • shows new ways of organizing work, motivates to take up

new roles as institutions and as educators, leads to realizing new needs for adult educator training and further training

Long term benefits: become pro-active; encourage entrepreneurship and foster innovation through adult education practice• practice and research can provide evidence that

support favorable policies for adult learning, more investment for development of the field as well as new research

Network as a resource – continuity – dynamics - development – how –

how long – with whom - why?