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Second chance learning in neighbourhood houses

Version 2 2024-06-03, 19:59
Version 1 2017-07-04, 16:20
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-03, 19:59 authored by Trace OllisTrace Ollis, Karen StarrKaren Starr, Cheryl RyanCheryl Ryan, J Angwin, U Harrison
Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria are significant sites of formal and informal education for adult learners. Intrinsically connected to local communities they play an important role in decreasing social isolation and building social inclusion. The focus of this research is on adult learners and adult learning that engages with ‘second chance’ learners who participate in adult learning programs in the Barwon and South West regions of Victoria. The greater Geelong region is characterised by declining car automotive and textile manufacturing industries and emerging new industries such as hospitality and tourism. The data from the research participants in the study includes career changers, long term and recently unemployed, newly arrived and migrant communities, young people and older adults. This paper focuses on the learning practices of second chance learners who frequently have negative perception of themselves as unsuccessful learners, but are transformed through their learning experiences in Neighbourhood Houses. We argue the unique social space of the Neighbourhood House, the support and guidance offered by staff and teachers, the unique pedagogy and small group learning experiences allow adult learners to reconstruct a new identity of themselves as successful learners.

History

Journal

Australian Journal of Adult Learning

Volume

57

Pagination

13-35

Location

Melbourne, Vic.

ISSN

1443-1394

Language

English

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

[2017, Adult Learning Australia]

Issue

1

Publisher

ADULT LEARNING AUSTRALIA INC