abevan February 23rd, 2010
Thirteen winning projects received their Star Awards at a ceremony held in Dublin on Monday 22 February. Among the 110 nominated projects, two came from the public library service and both were highly commended in their regional categories:
Kilkenny Libraries Six Book Challenge programme was highly commended in the Regional Leinster Section. The Six Book Challenge is an initiative introduced in 2008 by the Reading Agency in the UK. Kilkenny County Library registered to take part in the challenge with the aim of involving reluctant adult readers with their local library.
Dublin City Libraries’ Open Learning Centre was highly commended within the Dublin Regional category. Established in 1986 as part of the Central Library, The Open Learning Centre is a unique learning facility offering access to all regardless, of age, social status or ethnicity. It constitutes a unique, safe, organic learning environment, where people from 124 countries come to learn together. Courses are self learning, so students can learn at their own pace.
The STAR Awards are awarded for outstanding, learner centered adult and community education projects which demonstrate high levels
of collaboration amongst participant groups. The learning involved has included learning for personal fulfillment, social change, active citizenship, skills development, community development and other related fields. The awards have highlighted and supported the collaborative learning approach which is vital to developing healthy and vibrant communities
Tags: Adult Learners Festival, Dublin City Public Libraries, Kilkenny County Library, STAR Awards
nmcnamara November 6th, 2009
AONTAS invites libraries around the country to promote adult learning through the Adult Learners Festival 2010. The Festival runs nationwide next year for the fourth time, from February 22nd to February 26th. Events run during the week by a variety of groups involved in adult learning will contribute to a nationwide campaign designed to promote the value and benefits of learning as an adult.
Libraries are now an essential part of community infrastructure – providing up to date information and social contact for people recently made unemployed, facilitating research opportunities on everything from genealogy to Spanish lessons, as well as stocking the latest bestsellers. AONTAS recognises the huge role that libraries play as learning sites, and wants to gain recognition for that role through the participation of the libraries in next year’s Adult Learners’ Festival. Continue Reading »
Tags: Adult learners, AONTAS, STAR Awards
abevan August 19th, 2008
AONTAS, The National Adult Learning Organisation is now inviting nominations for the STAR Awards for adult learning projects that takes place as part of the third annual Adult Learners’ Festival (2nd – 6th February 2009).
The STAR Awards is about showcasing teamwork and awarding recognition – it’s about acknowledging the fantastic work being done by adult learning projects throughout the country. Most of all, it is about celebrating the positive contribution that these projects make to our society, our economy and our local communities.
Fourteen awards in total will be granted to adult learning projects based within the island of Ireland who demonstrate the following criteria:
« A high level of teamwork and partnership amongst participant groups;
« A learner-centred approach to education provision;
« Adult education practice and methodologies;
« Evidence or Outcomes.
Nominated projects can involve initiatives, resources or group work. Projects may come from adult learning organisations, community and voluntary groups, the private sector, government agencies, statutory bodies and non-government organisations. You do not have to be involved in the project you are nominating for a STAR Award. However, we welcome nominations from projects themselves or from people directly involved in the project they are nominating.
The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, November 14th at 5pm
For further information on how to nominate visit: www.adultlearnersfestival.com
Tags: Adult learners, AONTAS, STAR Awards