| Description of good practice: |
Located in St James’ Park, the home of Newcastle United Football Club, the NUFC Learning Centre was a purpose-built learning facility. The Centre dealt with over 1,000 learners every week, offering courses in partnership with Newcastle College, University of Northumbria and Newcastle University. Returning to learn can be daunting for many adults. Phil McBride, the NUFC Learning Centre Manager, believed that success comes from empowering adult learners to set their own learning goals and this is best done in a relaxed, informal setting.
Focus of inclusive practice:
The challenge was to create an informal, relaxed and inclusive atmosphere in which adults, as well as younger learners, could improve their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills with the help of the latest technology. The Learning Centre provided accredited programs leading to nationally recognized qualifications in literacy and numeracy, but in a context of learning for fun. Courses were built around a mixture of online in-house and commercially produced materials with a strongly learner centered approach.
Method of inclusive practice:
Learners were able to agree some or all of their learning goals in negotiation with tutors. Initial assessment of learners’ needs and preferred learning styles took place before courses started. Learners were matched to the most suitable level and type of course.
A supportive and respectful relationship between learner and practitioner enabled the setting of agreed and achievable learning goals. All adult courses were offered on a drop-in
basis in three-hour slots throughout each week. As part of the process of negotiating and defining learning goals, the Centre Manager personally met every learner on their initial visit in order to put them at ease and discuss their options.
The centre operated on these principles:
_ access to differentiated online resources can open up a more extensive and appropriate range of options for learners
_ self-directed learning through online simulations and tutorials can build learners’ confidence to take up formal learning opportunities
_ learning matches learners’ lifestyles.
Level of success:
Whilst the adult learners at the Centre were completely free to select their activities, many moved on to accredited programs once they had used the Centre for a substantial period of time. The centre moved to a new location and altered the courses offered in 2008. |
