3rd NL Dec 2013-1 SLIC 2

Newsletter 3/5 October 2013
LEARNERS CORNER: CATCHING THE LEARNERS POINT OF VIEW
The learners' point of view as recipients of non-formal learning In the newsletter were collected interviews with learners who participate or have participated in education programs implemented by organizations partners of the project. Each organization conducts the interview with 2 learners. The questions cover the various aspects that affect the quality of the educational process, they show differences in perception and provide information for educators on what they should pay special attention when they are planning educational programs.
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SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES
Learners corner: catching the learners point of view
Questions for learners.
The project is funded by the European Commission as a Grundtvig Learning Partnership under the LLP from 2012 to 2014. This newsletter reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Learning process 1. Is the process of learning gives possibilities to share ideas? to be creative? 2. Is the process of learning is a share space for changing experiences/ personal development? Development of your group? 3. What difficulties are there in developing a learning process ? What was your the best/worst learning experience? Competences 4. What changes have you noticed during the workshop/group work etc? 5. Do you feel more confident in your life? E.g. develop leader skills? 6. And by that do you feel more connected to your community? 7. What types of things should people be learning to make their life better within community? Values 8. Were my values respectable by the educator/teacher? 9. Is this group and participants were treated equally? 10. Do we as a group can work together/ learn from each other despite differences in values and opinions? Context 11. Is the knowledge gives you a short-term support/ad hoc relief or it strengthens and inspires you for future actions? 12. Is it better for you to work in a group or alone? 13. Do you need help / presence of an animator, "authority" etc. ? 14. Do you prefer to work in an environment familiar to you, because then you can attend meetings or there are different than you, because then you can experience much diversity, inspiration, courage to act? Conflict 15. How do you solve conflicts arising in group? 16. How do you deal with crisis situations arising in the group? Evaluation - self-evaluation, feedback from the group 17. What helps you to achieve the purpose of being here? 18. Why your activity were succeed/ fail? 19. Which of the strengths of the group has been used? 20. Who benefited from your actions? How does the group work has benefited the community, group, etc.? 21. How can you share your knowledge with others? (e.g. blogs, fb, memory book etc.)
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ENDORSEMENT AND QUALITY STANDARDS BOARD FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LEARNING (ESB)
Both of the learners interviewed were employed by a Community Trust with strong values around staff development and working within communities in an empowering way using the Values and Practice Principles of the current National Occupational Standards for Community Development. Neither learner has a formal / professional qualification in community development but both had expressed a strong desire to broaden their knowledge, reflect on their experience and achieve recognition of their achievements.
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In 2013 they undertook, and achieved, the Open College Network Community Development Award at Level 3. The learning provider (Create Training the community regeneration and training arm of a local Registered Social Landlord with an Accredited Centre) was specifically chosen because of their reputation, credibility and long term experience of delivering this form of training and learning. www.firstwessex.org/providing-training-in-the-community-for-the-community/#Informal training Timescale of the 2013 course: 12 weeks (36 hours) + portfolio building / reflective diary / assignments outside the course. Learning Group: 8 people made up of 7 women & 1 man presenting a wide age range of early 20s to early 50s. This was a group of people from a variety of backgrounds & experiences who applied to do the Award. This learning group was drawn from people working in the community but NOT a defined community group. Learners Interviewed: 1. CR female aged 31 This person has a background of growing up in a strong community in Scotland where her mother was heavily involved in aspects of community work. She joined the Royal Navy from school therefore being used to specific training methods designed to instil discipline and specific skill and knowledge development for defined job activities originally with communication systems but moved into weapons engineering. After having married she left the Royal Navy and now has two small children which meant she became involved with the local Childrens Centre, became involved as a volunteer and realised that she had transferable skills that would be of benefit to working in the community. She was employed as a Community Cook for the Childrens Centre but now is an Administrator for the Community Trust. She has begun to get involved in working with others to put on community events on behalf of the Community Trust and realised how much she was gaining from working with the community within which she also lived, therefore was encouraged to take up the OCN course.+
2. PP female aged 46 This person came to the Community Trust as a Community Organiser - part of a national programme where individuals are placed with a host organisation to put into practice their specialised training around engagement. She was paid by, and answerable to, the Community Organising national parent body and paid a training bursary. That training programme was completed in March 2013 (OCN Level 3 course with 22 credits + an additional 7 credits re Community Conflict) but the individual felt that it was more akin to pyramid selling and too focused on the collection of statistics and had, personally, become disillusioned. Learning on that programme was focused on assessment by assignments, lectures & residential, based on understanding power structures to empower others to collective action. However, in practice, she didnt feel well prepared for working in the community (door knocking) & she had to rely on her wits in building the skills. Prior to this she had worked as a publican, a caterer, a store manager and developed her own business. However, she recognised that in working with people she had more to offer and applied to the Community Organiser programme. The Community Trust (acting as the host organisation) recognised her potential and when her placement ended in March 2013 she was employed as a Community Facilitator from April 2013 on a one year contract. She was encouraged to take up the OCN course as a counterfoil to her Community Organiser training as there would be opportunities to compare approaches within community development.
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Learning process Non-traditional & highly participatory delivery utilising individual & group reflection within groupwork exercises & discussion to share, analyse & draw from personal experience. Written work linked to reflection / research and putting theory into practice and recording an understanding of Values and Practice Principles. Choice of options: to present a portfolio for achievement of an Award or to simply achieve an Attendance Certificate This choice being a mechanism to allay fears around judgement but all participants chose to present a portfolio for assessment. CR - Feels strongly that there is no standard way to ensure the learning process as individual needs will vary and is dependent on what is being learnt and may well require a variety of delivery. She is able to engage in reading / straightforward theoretical study / solitary learning but needs interaction to make sense of input e.g. practical demonstration or somewhere to share personal experience to build on the knowledge base. She believes that a learning group must engage your interest and should not be lecture-based. She sees hands-on or on the job training as being crucial therefore community development learning needs to be geared towards current work being undertaken by the individual.
Her best learning experience on the course was gaining peer and tutor recognition, through her portfolio, of the work she had done to organise an event. Her worst experience was having to adjust to a new way of learning in comparison to her training with the Royal Navy - she felt quite exposed until she gained confidence in sharing her voluntary community work experience with others. PP Diagnosed dyslexic and easily distracted. She feels the learning process is dependent on what needs to be learnt e.g. if pure theory she needs to be isolated in order to concentrate the learning process needs to be well ordered in order to see the subject being built. She becomes particularly frustrated if the trainer digresses. Likes controversial statements being used as a trigger - she feels herself engaging emotionally but then needs to reflect on the reactions of self and others. Found herself gaining more from this OCN Community Development course being linked to the National Occupational Standards, based on clear Values and Practice Principles, which enabled her to see the structure of the subject. Acknowledged that, for her, there is a clear difference between more generalised learning and community development learning. Best ever learning experience has been on the job training alongside another experienced practitioner, with a knowledge base already in place. Worst learning experience is having her dyslexia exposed through having to take her turn in being a scribe & writing on a flipchart which adversely affected her confidence levels.
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Competences CR - Felt competence in community development work was increased due to developing a greater understanding of key values and practice principles which resulted in increased competence and a feeling of personal empowerment. Greater knowledge was developed and application to practice encouraged. She felt she originally had an implicit understanding but the training put theory behind an automatic approach. The changes she has noticed in herself are that she is more self-aware e.g. effect of her actions on others and is more reflective questioning her personal approach to working in the community. The course has encouraged her to work more in the community to make a difference, whilst realising that it would be too easy to take the job home therefore learning to create and maintain boundaries. Being a confident person already (due to her naval background & leadership skills developed) she has developed a greater confidence around her work within the community. CR now feels strongly that this type of learning will develop confidence & assertiveness but the level of this growth is dependent on the individual. PP - Discovered she knew more that she realised - therefore more competent than she originally thought and was able to relate to the subject due to her personal life experience. The course chimed with her personal belief system & value-base. She feels that community development learning makes you search yourself and question who you are, makes you realise that you may not like some aspects of yourself and results in growth / changed attitude / changed behaviour.
As a result of the process, reflection becomes automatic and has therefore become a natural part of her life in total. However, she feels strongly that you have got to be engaged in the community to be able to engage in community development learning. PP feels she is less judgmental in that she recognises bad behaviour has a reason, it is not no bad people, just bad circumstances. Overall she is more confident re values / practice principles / process of community development and, although she already had leadership skills, now but feel these have been developed further.
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Values CR - Feels that women, in particular, find it easier if the learning climate created treats both learners and trainers as equal and capable of learning from each other through exploration. She felt that, in general, this was well done on this course which enabled differences in values & opinions to be expressed i.e. an open & non-judgmental environment supporting open and honest discussion e.g. when discussing a definition of social injustice. However, she did feel that the one male within the group experienced some discrimination within the learning group as the tutor was also his manager therefore was stricter with him around assignment deadlines and level of Award to be working towards. PP - Views were respected by the tutor which encouraged and enabled discussion. Equal treatment was experienced and the group worked and learned together. Feels a positive learning environment enables you to think creatively i.e. thinking outside the normal parameters. It is important that it is a shared space where discussion is encouraged in order to explain theory further. However, she realised that a substitution of tutor due to ill health slightly changed the learning climate and therefore the overall learning experience Context Both CR and PP indicated that, for them, the course empowered them through developing greater confidence in themselves, endorsement of their approach to working in the community and a clear value-base and practice principles to enable reflection on actions both planned and taken. They were very clear of the benefit of working as a group for community development learning which required a facilitator, rather than an authority figure. However, due to the fact that there were deadlines for submitting assignments and portfolios, it was felt that the tutor had a dual role. Both people felt motivated and inspired re future work. Conflict CR Conflicts & heated discussion within the group was a positive learning experience when facilitated well. As a result of this she feels she is more able to learn from experience e.g. handling difficult / emotional people through developing a greater understanding of others and has realised that she can learn effectively from personal experience (whether negative or positive) through reflection.
PP - Felt there were no conflictual / crisis situations but that differences of opinion were facilitated well, considering the normal group dynamics at play. She feels more connected to the community because of being at peace with herself therefore more in touch / available to the community in which she works. PP recognises the importance of people knowing how to acknowledge whats happened / is happening and how to come together to discuss issues frankly and openly and therefore being able to move a situation on.
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For both learners, shortly after completing the course the Community Trust went through a change of management and a changed value base. For them, the course has meant increased confidence and understanding of community development work and a common understanding developed giving collective strength in the face of adversity Evaluation - self-evaluation, feedback from the group Both learners explained how self-evaluation and group feedback were built into the course e.g. through Reflective Diaries, presentations with peer feedback and sharing, analysing and further discussing community development activities undertaken. Shared experiences enabled personal development which, in turn impacted on future activity with those more experienced offering potential solutions to difficulties experienced in the community. Group members had also agreed to keep in touch through developing an online network. CR Shared learning experience benefits those groups and communities you work with and selfevaluation through reflection was encouraged as a practice on the course i.e. keeping a Reflective Diary (which would also consider activity in retrospect & as a comparator). CR was clear that emotional intelligence i.e. understanding self through reflection & analysis keeps you mentally healthy when working in communities & understanding others. PP - Cited the action reflection action continuous cycle as informing her work. She also felt that she had developed the ability to determine success / failure in being able to encourage community members to move on, whatever the project or activity engaged in. Both learners share knowledge and raise awareness through a work-based Facebook account & Twitter and through Trust staff meetings and discussions. PP also has an internet forum through which she shares knowledge and experience with others This was developed as part of her original employment as a Community Organiser and is still available to her. Alana Gooding November 2013
AUGUST HORCH AKADEMIE GMBH
Interviewee A: Entrepreneur (software developer), male, 42 years old Interviewee B: Student (entrepreneurship), female, 22 years old - Short term workshop with long term effect; 6 learners + 1 teacher/coach
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Competences 4. What changes have you noticed during the workshop/group work etc? A. At the beginning the workshop participants have been a bit critical to give their knowledge to others. But until the end of the workshop we all mentioned that its a give-and-take basis. B. I changed my own mind. At the beginning I thought I will not have enough experiences and knowledge that I could share with such experienced entrepreneurs. But in fields like social media I am more experienced than they are and I could help them.
Learning Process 1. Is the process of learning gives possibilities to share ideas? to be creative? A. The aim of the whole workshop has been to show us how we can share our knowledge with others which includes sharing ideas concerning a common topic. So, yes the learning process gave us the opportunity to share many ideas and to be creative. B. Yes, the approach of the training has been to exchange experiences with others who are working in different fields and branches. 2. Is the process of learning is a share space for changing experiences/ personal development? Development of your group? A. You live and learn despite years of experiences. And now I additionally know how I can share my knowledge with others and pass on my own experiences. B. We have been 6 different persons 4 entrepreneurs and 2 students who had totally different experiences and knowledge. But all of us wanted to learn how we can share our knowledge and learn from each other. 3. What difficulties are there in developing a learning process ? What was your the best/worst learning experience? A. There have not been any difficulties. The best way of learning for me is always a combination of different learning methods but I always need practical things to go in detail with the learning contents. B. All participants have been totally equal during the workshop and it was not decisive if you are an entrepreneur with many years of working experience or only a student.
5. Do you feel more confident in your life? E.g. develop leader skills? A. Yes, of course. I did not have any pedagogical knowledge or experiences as a trainer but now I am able to prepare my own learning sessions. B. I can use the new knowledge for my study. And also I am thinking about to multiply it to other students to help them to share their knowledge too. 6. And by that do you feel more connected to your community? A. I got in contact with some entrepreneurs that are also interested in sharing their knowledge. And the projects online platform allows me to contact them again and some others and also to receive some more contents and information. B. Yes. Through this workshop I know how and where to contact entrepreneurs that are interested in the same topics. 7. What types of things should people be learning to make their life better within community? A. Its depending on the single person because everybody has individual demands, requirements and needs. But social competences and soft skills are needed anywhere and anytime. B. Communication is a central topic for me. If you are not able to communicate with others its even harder for you.
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Context 11. Is the knowledge gives you a short-term support/ad hoc relief or it strengthens and inspires you for future actions? A. I learned how to prepare contents to share my own knowledge and experiences with others. Definitely I will use it in the future. B. It absolutely inspired me for further activities.
Values 8. Were my values respectable by the educator/teacher? A. Yes. The trainer/coach asked about expectations and further experiences and focused the workshop on this. B. Yes. 9. Is this group and participants were treated equally? A. Yes. B. Yes, absolutely. 10. Do we as a group can work together/ learn from each other despite differences in values and opinions? A. Yes, of course. If there are different opinions you have different point of views and different inputs. This is absolutely an added value for a workshop. B. Definitely. Our group has been totally different (age, sex, working fields, experiences, etc.) but we could learn that much from each other.
12. Is it better for you to work in a group or alone? A. Always in a group to get more inputs, experiences, points of views to discuss things, etc. B. Sometimes for me its better to work alone to be more concentrated and to be more flexible and to determine learning rate by myself. But to work and learn in a group is more interesting and diversified. 13. Do you need help / presence of an animator, "authority" etc.? A. Its almost better if there is someone responsible for the red line and to take care that the learners will not get lost in discussions, etc. B. Its depending on the content of the seminar and the self-discipline of the participants. 14. Do you prefer to work in an environment familiar to you, because then you can attend meetings or there are different than you, because then you can experience much diversity, inspiration, courage to act? A. There are advantages for both of them. For me as an entrepreneur its easier to participate in seminars/workshops that are closed to my company to be more flexible. On the other hand sometimes its much better to be in a new environment to see something new and to clean your head to be open for new contents, etc. In my opinion its depending on the learning content and topic of the workshop/seminar. B. I am a student and due to my lack of resources its better to work and learn close to the place where I live.
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Evaluation 17. What helps you to achieve the purpose of being here? A. The structure and proceeding of the workshop as well as the pedagogical approach of sharing knowledge. B. That I have been accepted as an equal member of the learning group. 18. Why your activity were succeed/ fail? A. Because each participant has been an active part of the workshop. B. It was successfully because each group member has been involved in the same way and everybody has been active the whole time.
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Conflict 15. How do you solve conflicts arising in group? A. There have not been any conflicts or crises within our group. B. No crises arose in our group or our trainer deactivated them that fast that we did not notice that there has been a problem. 16. How do you deal with crisis situations arising in the group?
19. Which of the strengths of the group has been used? A. Each participant has been experienced in something special. All of us learned how to forward this knowledge to others. So we now know how to prepare learning contents and at the same time by testing and training this we received the special knowledge from all workshop participants. B. We could generate a lot of synergies within the group in discussions, brainstormings, etc. 20. Who benefited from your actions? How does the group work has benefited the community, group, etc.? A. All workshop participants benefited from each other. Additionally also the trainer/coach benefited from the knowledge and experiences from the participants while testing how to prepare an own learning session. B. It has been a mutual give and take for each of us. You give your own knowledge to others and you could receive knowledge from them. But you must be open enough for those kinds of processes. 21. How can you share your knowledge with others? (e.g. blogs, fb, memory book etc.) A. There is a platform on the projects website existing where all the learners can place their own learning sessions. Additionally there is a Facebook group to communicate and to share knowledge. B. For the project there is an online learning platform existing where all the learning sessions are available. And we can discuss and share our experiences on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
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SEINJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
This text is based on two interviews with mental health service users, who were educated to be socalled experts by experience. An expert by experience is as an individual who has personal experience with mental health problems and mental health services. Also, an expert by experience intends to offer his or her expertise for the use of mental health professionals and other mental health service users.
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The training program was funded and organized by the Hospital District, which offers psychiatric care and treatment at its hospital and clinics. An independent trainer provided the training program. The program consisted of a training day every second week for a period of one year. Learning process The aim of the training process was to give learners chances to reflect on their experiences with mental health problems and mental health services. A. The training was much more intensive than I expected. We really shared our experiences and reflected on them at individual and group levels. In my mind, our training was based on a kind of learning-by-sharing model. B. I think the training process is part of my recovery. This means it really was a process, which had a personal basis. I think the training supported my personal learning. On the other hand, this personal facet of the training was the most difficult. You can guess how hard it is to reflect on personal events and experiences related to mental health problems. Competences The aim of the training was to produce expertise, which is based on learners own personal experiences with mental health problems. A. We are called experts by experience, which means we have some special competences in mental health issues. Yes, I really think I am connected with other mental health service users but also with professionals in the field. In this sense, I have some competence, which the training supported.
B. I would like to emphasize that I have progressed in my recovery, but on the other hand, I still have a lot of things to go through. I enjoyed the training because I realized that I am learning something very useful, but I am sure this is going to be a long journey before I will be a true expert by experience for professionals and other service users.
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Values A. I can confirm that the educators treated us respectfully. They really supported our learning processes. However, as you know, a big aim is to be treated as an equal within society as a whole. In reality, mental health service users are still stigmatized, although society tolerates madness much more than in past decades. I mean, our training was a great example of equalization, but in the big picture we still have a lot of things to do. B. We were treated as equals and all learners and educators respected us.
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Context A. Group is a key element of this kind of training. We cant become experts by experience without sharing our experiences with other service users. Our training was lead by professionals, but perhaps in the future, we service users will produce this training mostly on our own, or together with professionals. B. I would like to say that I had a personal motivation for the training, but it took place in a group environment. Both are needed. Conflict A. I do not think we had huge conflicts in the group, but surely we all had our personal struggles with training. By this I mean challenges in attending all the training sessions intensively and so on, but perhaps this was just the main educators task to address. B. We did not have any kind of big conflict. Evaluation: self-evaluation, feedback from the group A. The main point is that we trusted other participants. Without trust, we could not have achieved as good results as we did. The group is the key. If it works well, we have chances to offer something extra to the members and even to a local community. The group gives us power, or it supports all of us to be an active member in society. B. I am not sure if I have had chances to help other service users or group members, but I can honestly say that this training and its participants have helped me a lot. I only have positive things to say.
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EPIMORFOTIKI KILKIS SM LLC
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CYPRUS YOUTH CLUBS ORGANIZATION
The questioner was answered by two youth club leaders that attended a two-day seminar. The seminar was organized by the Cyprus Youth Clubs Organization. It took place during the weekend of 15-16 of November at Mayfair Hotel in Paphos. About 90 persons aged from 18-35 participated. All of them are leading persons at their communities youth centers. During the seminar they attended presentations about leadership and group formation, and they also took part in a workshop where they had to solve a problem in a creative way. Participant A: 35year-old female, leader of a youth Club in Nicosia Participant B: 28-year-old male, leader of a youth Club in Limassol
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Learning process 1. Does the process of learning give possibilities to share ideas? to be creative? A. The participants had the opportunity to share ideas and be creative during the second day of the seminar when they had to work in groups and think how they would have organize an event in their youth centre. They had to imagine that they organize an event based on volunteer actions and having a direct contribution to the society. B. Yes it does. I was creative and the process gave the opportunity to the members to interact with each other. 2. Is the process of learning a share space for exchanging experiences/ personal development? Development of your group? A. Sharing experiences is the first step of sharing knowledge. Everyone who has the willing to learn and develop his/hers personality can take advantage of situations like seminars or workshops. Sharing experiences, ideas or even problems can help you become wiser and maybe more efficient when you guide your group. B. Yes because when we have interactive actions with members of different locations you learn new ideas and experiences. 3. What difficulties are there in developing a learning process? What was your best/worst learning experience? A. During the development of a learning process you have to take under consideration the background and the abilities of the people they are involved. My worst learning experience was when people next to me misunderstood what I said. My best experience was during the dinner when I had a very nice talk with young members of youth centers. B. The best learning experiences is the actions you have with unknown people and people from other cities and with different cultures.
Values 8. Were my values respectable by the educator/teacher? A. My values were respectable by the educator. 9. Were this group and participants treated equally? A. The educator monitored the group in a very efficient way. He was giving a lot of examples and everybody had the opportunity to express his opinion or questions. B. Of course, all participants had the opportunity to present their views and concerns. 10. Do we as a group can work together/ learn from each other despite differences in values and opinions? A. We need to try a lot to manage working together effectively. Some of us are not able to respect different opinions or even listen to somebody else speaking. B. The differences in values and opinions are the trigger for a creative dialogue that will result in a multidimensional effect.
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Competences 4. What changes have you noticed during the workshop/group work etc? A. I realized the European dimension youth clubs can take. 5. Do you feel more confident in your life? E.g. develop leader skills? A. Though I have heard before a lot of the information that they were presented in the seminar, it was a pleasant revision to face it up again. Having it in mind makes it easier to use it. B. I had leader skills since I was born, but I had the chance to strengthen. 6. And by that do you feel more connected to your community? A. I personally feel that I am more connected to my community when I am acting responsibly for the benefit of the community and especially when I organize events which contribute to the social cohesion and progress. Being a better leader means for me, being closer to the people of my community. B. Yes I feel more connected with the family of youth clubs. 7. What types of things should people be learning to make their life better within community? A. People who are in leading positions in communities, should learn how to develop in an effective way their community. They should also know how to set long-term and short term goals, how to gain finance for projects etc. People who are not in a leading position should learn how to keep their special relations with their neighbors, and how to help each other during these economically difficult days B. Confidence, Culture and European Dimension of our youth clubs.
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Conflict 15. How do you solve conflicts arising in group? A. I try to solve the conflict by listening to both sides and trying to reach an agreement or help them overcome their disagreements. I usually act as a mediator trying to be objective. B. With personalized discussion with the parties. 16. How do you deal with crisis situations arising in the group? A. I try to be calm and take over the situation especially if the people who are involved are getting out of control and become dangerous for the others or their self. I help to become everybody calm and try to solve the disagreement or any other problem that drove to the crisis in a polite and safe way. B. With proper and careful management. Avoiding to reducing or offending someone.
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Context 11. Does knowledge give you a short-term support/ad hoc relief or it strengthens and inspires you for future actions? A. Usually if the knowledge that I have gained in a seminar is useful for me, then I feel that it makes me stronger. But If what I have seen or heard it is not useful for me I usually leave it behind me after some time. B. The knowledge and the experiences of other members open new horizons for us to move in the future. 12. Is it better for you to work in a group or alone? A. I prefer to work in groups because it is more interesting for me to interact with people. B. To work in a group (TEAM) is the best way for me. TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More. 13. Do you need help / presence of an animator, "authority" etc.? A. I usually dont need the presence or the help of an animator since I can act as one, because of my job (teacher). B. When applied to something new, we need some support. 14. Do you prefer to work in an environment familiar to you, because then you can attend meetings or in one different than you, because then you can experience much diversity, inspiration, courage to act? A. It depends on the topic we work on. If it is a community problem for example I prefer to work with familiar people who know the situation of my community. If it is a creative problem solving procedure I prefer to work with people I dont know very well so I have the diversity of opinions and brainstorming of different ideas. B. It is easier to me work in a friendly environment, but inspire me and challenge the unknown and unfriendly.
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Evaluation - self-evaluation, feedback from the group 17. What helps you to achieve the purpose of being here? A. I have the opinion that youth centers are the most pure way to express your volunteer feelings today. I would like to see youth centers stronger and more effective in the future. So I suppose my vision for youth centers helps me to try to achieve my seminar purposes. B. It helped to collect ideas for future actions. Met people with common concerns and discovered knowledge. 18. Why your activity were succeed/ fail? A. I consider the activity successful for me because I had the opportunity to meet or reach people from all over Cyprus who voluntarily work for their community. I hope that the program gave them the chance to get closer to our organization and also opened a way of communication among us. B. To achieve an activity or to fail, depends on the dynamics that the groups demonstrate. 19. Which of the strengths of the group has been used? A. The group was consisted of young people leading personalities in their communities, who were coming of course from many different places. The presentations were prepared taking under mind that we had a lot of different local cultures. B. The teamwork. 20. Who benefited from your actions? How does the group work has benefited the community, group, etc.? A. I hope that young people of the group were benefited of my presents and ideas or opinions I have expressed during the seminar. During the group work some very good and creative ideas were expressed by the participants. I hope that some of the participants will try to apply it to their community. B. The benefits of my action are too much, some of them are: I learned to lead properly, to individualize the people, to be active citizen. Community benefits from actions of young people with various educational programs that we perform, healthy youth employment, the preservation of culture and tradition. 21. How can you share your knowledge with others? (e.g. blogs, fb, memory book etc.) A. I usually share my knowledge through my personal relations when I talke to people and of course I learn a lot when I listen to people. I am not very familiar with the above ways. B. I can share my knowledge with social media, newspapers, sites and meetings
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EUR.ADI.P.NET
Learners corner These interviews were performed among a group of five learners of the CTP Adria and Basso Polesine Adult Education Center. The area where our centre operates includes the Po Delta characterized by long distances, difficulties in moving and connections so that the internet becomes a resource that compensates disadvantages due to the area of residence. The learners discussed and decided which two answers better focused their perspectives and their feelings and those answers are here reported.
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Competences The purpose of the course was to create a learning environment where individual skills and experiences could be enhanced, learners could feel themselves at ease and competences could be improved. A. A: I've deepened my communicative competences in practicing, in trying self teaching and my social competences in sharing material, speaking in small or big groups, doing tasks in cooperative learning and discussing the results, building projects to learn new contents in peer small groups. B. It helped me in approaching people at job and improved my sensibility about social items.
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Learning process The learning process was offered in a peripheral territory where the needs were both to have occasions for meetings and have ready to use resources using new technologies so, for giving adult learners both chances, a blended English language course on moodle platform was prepared and learners could have occasions to meet together at the centre performing cooperative learning and could access at e-learning platform from home. Getting through a series of technical difficulties, lessons consisting in presentations, audios, cards, videos and so on distributed in fifteen units were ready on the moodule platform. Learners were addressed with the following message:Welcome to our online English course as a matter of fact that is our first blended English course online so what you all will find here is to be considered as a work in progress" subject to improvements, depends on your needs and your requests. A. I have been studying English for many years but this course was particularly interesting. The learning process was supported by a cooperative learning involving teachers and classmates with help in class and on line and also by the possibility of having alive didactic material. I took part in some steps of educational process that involved some European friends from partners in a Grundtvig project and that was fascinating to me. B. I felt a strong bond with my classmates and my educators because we share goals and aims. With some learners we met also at home once or twice during the week and on school holiday as well.
Values A. During this useful experiences I have established a friendly and positive relation with the members of the group. I shared useful experiences that made me richer. B. I found my educators very friendly and available.
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Context A. I have been studying English for many years with one of the educators, I met the others taking part in some steps of educational projects that involved various European partners. In this experience I can say that in a group context there are the best situations to learn. You can receive spurs from the mates and you feel most engaged in learning when you have a real task or aim to perform like using English language for a trip, for taking information from TV or radio, for a chat, and so on. B. I learn best in spoken communication in presence or by new technology media, in peer small group, looking each other in the eyes or through social media and in this experience the contest was perfect: speaking to not many mates, helping each other and comparing results. Conflict
Evaluation: self-evaluation, feedback from the group A. I feel myself a real part of the group. I like very much learning foreign languages and I think you've never been satisfied with your English knowledge. I've still a lot to learn. This experience was really a good step forward to the right direction. B. It has been a productive experience, thanks to new media and the good material given by the educator and I love very much exchanging real experiences and emotions. Id like to repeat again experiences like that: I found it very interesting for knowledge and human relationships.
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A. When I have to face practical problems I initially feel a bit uncertain, but it lasted a little this time. B. No conflict noticed.
CIVIL COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Learning process
Newsletter Title
1. We were around fourty, but we processed each defined topics in small groups, with the Open Space methodology. This is a new method, which allowed us to exchange our experiences in small groups. As well as our opininions, therefore we really got to know each other in the same time. It was very effective 2. Yes, and I want to add, that there are always some people on a 3 days training who expects more or something different, but it was very nicely said at the beginning you will take home as much as you input to the event - I really took even more. 3. If I want to define the profit, the first would be my whole personality and my attitude, which changed a lot during the weekend through reflections. There were several points when I felt some reflections are strong, very different, but with some respect and growing acceptance I realized that these are only different styles, and if you accept it and try to cooperate, this will give you both a lot. It needed some investment to get known the person besides the words you are listening. Competences
Values 1. I think the key for community learning is openness 2. If I want to define the profit, the first would be my whole personality and my attitude, which changed a lot during the weekend through reflections. There were several points when I felt some reflections are strong, very different, but with some respect and growing acceptance I realized that these are only different styles, and if you accept it and try to cooperate, this will give you both a lot. It needed some investment to get known the person besides the words you are listening.
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1. It was a very good opportunity for everybody to speak and act publicly, even those who are different and do not like to speak to others. It really motivated everybody to participate 2. yes, and there was a nice ballancing, when parts of the small groups realized that some of the people were becoming passive, they really motivated them to be part of the process 3. You have to know, that we were the ones, we all, who basically defined the topics and the contents of the meeting 4. Everybody definietly became released, as the time passed
Context 1. yes, and there was a nice ballancing, when parts of the small groups realized that some of the people were becoming passive, they really motivated them to be part of the process 2. The group leaders (facilitators) were also very accurate to give the floor for everybody, which was very helpful 3. (besides facilitators) all groups had an initiator who was the original owner of the brought topic and the joiners were all really different in each groups. It was really colourful, everybody came with different backgrounds and experiences 4. Yes, I would rather say that there was a very nice ballance between theoreticians and practicioners, it was just the right combination. 5. When everybody became familiar with the method, everybody understood that they are not under pressure, it is up to you how far you want to go, and if you felt exhausted you could leave the group, have a rest and maybe join to another group and topic
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Conflict 1. We did not really had any conflicts and event not real difficulties. There were some voices about the large number of students, who are representing more intellectual knowledge and less practice, but I dont really agree with this. 2. (Yes, I would rather say that there was a very nice ballance between theoreticians and practicioners, it was just the right combination.) Evaluation: 1. Yes, with this method we had a chance to get known each other in person and not only as professionals. We received something from everydodys personality, which was really good in terms of the future as this gaves us real connections It was a very good occasion to get known new people, new practices, interesting fieldworks, it was really colourful Yes, we were there from the whole country, from 15 years old to 40, this was amazing The new connections will certainly help us at several points in our activities. This is a group in which we know that we will be able to count on each other in the future It also proved how much opportunities are there, several ways for working and being active, this was a great starting point
2. 3. 4. 5.
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LOCAL ACTIVITY SUPPORT CENTRE - CAL
Newsletter
We interviewed 2 persons from our educational program (3 one-years edition) Academy of neighborhood initiatives. Aims of the program are building the network and education for neighborhood associations, groups, leaders and animators from Warsaw. Participants are active citizens who want to change their closest environment.
Title
A: Our first interviewee is learner, 43 years old, freelancer, resident of Warsaw (participants of the third edition Academy). B: The second interviewee is learner, 28 years old, NGO worker, resident of Warsaw (participants of the first edition of the program). Learning process 1. Does the process of learning give possibilities to share ideas? To be creative? A. It disturbs me when an educator is obsessed with creativity and is too aimed on stimulating creativity. Sometimes it is artificial. It disturbs me when creativity activities are performed before the group integrates and meets. I much more care about knowledge than how to wake my creativity. B. Workshops in which I am involved in most are based on the exchange of experiences, external practices of others persons this is very helpful for development of my creativity. 2. Is the process of learning is a share space for changing experiences/personal development? Development of your group? A. Definitely. It's fun when every time there are the same people in the group, the absence of one person affects the whole group and the quality of the educational process . People very quickly get along with each other, it has a influence on my development , people get used to each other and together they develop . We learn from each other. B. We take part in additional event which are going on outside the workshops debates, consultations with local authority. It strongly affects on our development. The workshop participants are from different places, different communities , with different approaches. All this gives me a new perspective and a new look, it develops me as an animator, and as a human. It gives me support, I feel that I am not alone. Group develops because we have constant contacts. We participate together in a different events. Meetings outside the workshops help us to create new quality of our relationships on the basis of a professional field.
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3. What difficulties are there in developing a learning process? What was yours the best/worst learning experience? A. I have no trouble in getting into the learning process , especially when educator deal with trouble-makers. I learn best when educator share their experiences. For instance someone who is a trainer and at the same time for example has organized neighbor group or anyone who is skilful at fundrising and is able to practically use it in the work with his community. In this situation, I feel that I'm learning at all levels. The worst was when one of the leaders wasnt at all prepared. He answered questions without any details, but every case must be treated individually. I was pissed off , because this is my time , I can spend it other ways B. The main difficulty is lack of time, everyone is working somewhere and has other activities. We learn in our free time, we have to do a homework. The best experience for me is meeting new people, meeting with persons who want to act. Sometimes when we talk about social activities we say that Warsaw is "desert" - that nothing is happening. And suddenly I meet a group of enthusiasts that want to act and change. The worst experience, the some tools which we learn is not always run on. Something we practice during the workshop but as we start to work in the community comes out differently because community it is a " living organism".
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Competences 4. What changes have you noticed during the workshop/group work etc.? A. It is a pity that sometimes people who work best and who have experience drop off. These are cool people from whom I can learn a lot. I experienced for instance that summer break may be an obstacle. It lowers groups energy. At some point we were getting . And after the break pleasure memory was erased and the atmosphere in the group has never returned to the same " temperature " . When there are more classes without any breaks there is a bigger chance that group will integrate better. The change in the participants - one girl was very afraid and later during the workshop she became much more self-confident , and this is what she has done with the locals was very good . The same happened in my case. I did something what seemed to me unrealizable, but it worked. Now , in principle, everything is done without me, neighbors organize everything themselves. B. Change in me: with every workshop easier for me to talk and discus about difficult things, I am more certain of what I do and what I say. Group also consolidates and begins to work together as a group - not as separate persons
Values 8. Were my values respectable by the educator/teacher? A. Yes, educator very skillfully ended some random statements about for instance origin of the participants. I have not met with a lack of political correctness among educators working with us . B. If it were not so I would not participate in such training, educators are usually people who have so much care about this aspect, I have never met with such situations 9. Is this group and participants were treated equally? A. Yes. B. There are situations like at school, someone is trying much better, is more engaged as a result is more liked. In my opinion, easier to work with people which are prepared
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5. Do you feel more confident in your life? E.g. develop leader skills? A. I have developed my hard skills. I run away from Warsaw when I hung out a Neighbor Day notice . I was afraid that residents will laugh at me . It was a tough experience . But it turned out to be very positive , very good , I started to receive phone calls and e-mails. Neighbors willingly came to the first meeting . The division of duties was an important moment. It turned out I did not have to persuade anyone . I held the first moment of silence , and then the people began to volunteer for some tasks . I take it as a big success. B. I feel edified, I have more communication skills, easier for me to talk and work with people 6. And by that do you feel more connected to your community? A. Even though I have moved out I still feel connected, have the contacts , know that someone baked a cake, someone fixed someone computer and for that I am very happy . B. I feel more connected because of fact that I participate in workshops where we are going through "my own practice". My "practice" is my community and I always thought and said about it during the workshop, that makes me feel even more connected to it and more rooted in. 7. What types of things should people be learning to make their life better within community? A. People should meet regularly . The greatest enthusiasm is lost because of the lack of time. Once a month one hour to meet a variety of neighborhood issues - this is very important. I offered to set up a club of our building , we are lucky to have a meeting point . People who liked each other still are in touch, but they dont meet regularly. B. People should learn to talk, communicate, skills of dialogue, listening, without criticism, not going into emotions. In community some events can pose a large emotional load. Often the dialogue is based on negative emotions - unnecessarily. The most important is - dialogue, listening to the other without prejudices
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10. Do we as a group can work together/ learn from each other despite differences in values and opinions? A. Only in situations when we are not in conflict . The resulting differences in philosophical , religious world-view are an obstacle in cooperation . People have a right not to work if they do not trust . B. There is an error in the question from my perspective. I can accept differences of opinion, but I have a feeling that people who meet on these workshops, which are very specific, that people have common values there. We can argue about opinion, but not about values, because they are prescribed to us. Shared values - different opinions. Differences in opinion do not carry risk.
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Context 11. Is the knowledge gives you a short-term support/ad hoc relief or it strengthens and inspires you for future actions? A. I dont take everything during trainings but I have no feeling that everything I know. It is important for me that I could contact the educator besides trainings: call, write an e-mail, I received an answer, I had a support. B. Short-time support - I get new skills during the workshop - I can make presentation, I can take part in discussion and I'm more confident. Long-term support - I get inspiration that can germinate later. Ideas which I don't realize immediately I have in my mind. They are like a seed which will ripe for some time, perhaps after 1-2 years 12. Is it better for you to work in a group or alone? A. I dont like to work in smaller groups. I prefer to work in the whole group in a discussion form. B. I believe in power of group synergy, and what may arise due to relationships. I belong to those people to whom it is easier to muster ideas when I have the stimulus and people around me - it motivates and inspires me. 13. Do you need help / presence of an animator, "authority" etc.? A. My activities, which I organize bring me a lot of joy. However, it found out that it is a relief if I have someone to whom I can turn to. Someone tells me that it happens when no one comes on the meeting. Someone already had this kind of experience and it is fine, such support at the beginning is very necessary. The good thing is that no one evaluates my work like in school. I need real help. I do not want anyone to talk some cants. I prefer to know that it did not work out but it's true. B. Important for me is the feeling that someone somewhere observes my work, it mustn't be constant supervision, to be with me on the spot. For me it is sufficient that one thinks and appreciates what I do, someone asks how are you, how's it going? It is so easy, you do not need more, but even slight interest is important. It is very encouraging and strengthening
14. Do you prefer to work in an environment familiar to you, because then you can attend meetings or there are different than you, because then you can experience much diversity, inspiration, courage to act? A. I like to work in a familiar and unfamiliar environment for a change. I like it when I know what to expect and feel this as a reward , on the other hand, I'm starting to get bored when I know that nothing new can no longer be done. And in an unknown I always meet something new. It happens that I feel surprised. B. Difficult question. More often I'm working in an unknown environment. The downside is that you get knowledge from the stereotype, and it takes a little bit time before you get to the truth, and then d you discover that it is different and it delights. Unknown environment treats you like a stranger. In an environment that is familiar with, I do not really like to work: for example, with family and friends, I do not like this mix, it difficult to changes. It's easier for me to be a member of a group in such a situation than to animate.
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16. How do you deal with crisis situations arising in the group? A. On All trainings lack consequence in executing obligations. If someone is committed not to late, he doesnt get late. I'm all for punctuality . Respect the time. I have to have an advantage if I am punctual. Lack of punctuality may be a reason for some crisis situations. It's a matter of those people who do not come on time. To obtain the certificate you have to be present , but the practice is that everyone gets it regardless of their presence. It lowers the rank of the certificate. When I say I finished this training that paper is what counts. It annoys me lack of consequences. If you have some commitments stick to them all the time B. In my opinion we need as soon as possible to capture that something begins to happen, extinguish the beginning
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Conflict 15. How do you solve conflicts arising in group? A. Conflicts occur in groups. As a participant, I would like conflicts, which are about trainings, to be solved. Discussion with all participants might be a way to solve them . I do not want to spend time on resolving some conflicts, which are off the topic. B. To talk and separate the emotions. Many conflicts are exists due to the lack of information (Wheel of information) and arise a lot of unnecessary conflict
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Evaluation - self-evaluation, feedback from the group 17. What helps you to achieve the purpose of being here? A. I want more time for a summary. That's what people learn is for me very important. This should be a separate exercise . This is a large value that I hear from people what they have processed and how they summarize it. . B. Examples from others that someone manages to do something important for community. As you can see, that someone did it and it worked fine, then I try to continue. The experiences of others are very important. 18. Why your activity were succeed/ fail? A. I watch in myself a wish to receive as much knowledge as it is possible and rejects the lack of discipline and consistency. B. Indicator of success is that I can see that something is beginning to happen in people that are beginning to appear new situations, activities, relationships. Defeat is when, despite every effort nothing ever happens. Then I think you need to try yet either give yourself some time. It is learning patience and perseverance. If you know that you have to go there, then go regardless of how much time it can take. 19. Which of the strengths of the group have been used? A. I use most the potential of each individual. Feedback of group members is very valuable for me . This very rarely happens . It's not about some slamming . I picked this as a great value , how the participants saw me and how I perceived them . What other people think about me. B. Positive attitude, optimism 20. Who benefited from your actions? How has the group work benefited the community, group, etc.? A. Nobody uses my knowledge. It doesnt go further. I made a neighbor day, we made an inbox. Group which is tied doesnt need my knowledge , maybe I dont have enough contacts . B. If I become a better person and animator then people from community get more benefit. I'm trying to use all the skills which I get during the workshops 21. How can you share your knowledge with others? (E.g. blogs, fb, memory book etc.) A. I do not see the point of spreading my knowledge, I dont get educational mission. , I learn to act , I dont feel that I can teach anyone. Stepping into a neighborhood with knowledge seems to be a misunderstanding. B. I am not writing the blog, of daily newspaper. But on my part I am trying to show some mechanisms: e.g. simple consultative exercises, instead of ordinary meeting we are doing it in the more animating way. E.g. inviting to the meeting - we are tossing books up to the door of our neighbors with the invitation.
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MGC Celje
Newsletter
A. Our interviewee is a female learner, 32 years old, unemployed, Slovenian (language) teacher, she lives in Celje. It is a short term workshop with a long term effect. The main aim is to educate volunteers about working as a volunteer with elderly people. There are 12 learners in the group with 1 teacher/mentor. B. The second interviewee is a male learner, 41 years old, currently employed as a production worker, who lives in Prebold. He participates in a short term workshop, whose emphasis is to educate all participants about the use and advantages, brought by the use of information technology. There are 10 learners participating in this group with 1 mentor.
Title
Learning process 1. Does the process of learning give possibilities to share ideas? To be creative? A. Yes it does, in some way. We discuss our previous experience and we try to build on that. We also discuss different approaches and ways to connect and work with elderly people. Everybody gets an opportunity to share his or hers ideas and we are trying to develop new ways to connect elderly people. B. The learning process offers, in my opinion, enough possibilities to share ideas. Because the group is relatively small, everyone gets the opportunity to contribute to the learning process. One of the advantages of the group is that the work schedule is not set in stone, but is very flexible which allows us to target specific areas, which everyone deems as more important to obtain. 2. Is the process of learning is a share space for changing experiences/personal development? Development of your group? A. I think that it makes you reflect on yourself and your ways of communicating and approaching all people, not only the elderly. As we each build on ourselves, the group gets better as well. B. In my opinion, every skill we obtain helps us with our personal development. And the work in a group especially helps those, who are not accustomed to work in such environment, to be able to better express themselves, because they are not under any pressure and are thus more relaxed and ready to talk with other participants.
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3. What difficulties are there in developing a learning process? What was yours the best/worst learning experience? A. I think that the hardest part is combining all ideas and make sure that everybody gets a chance to contribute something. This is my first workshop about volunteer work and I love it, because it has a great group dynamic and new, fresh approaches. B. One of the main difficulties is how to get all the participants to contribute in equal manner. Some may not be as skilled as the others and could fall behind in the learning process, whereas some who are more advanced, can start to bore themselves, because the process might be going too slow. So the hardest part is establishing the balance of the process. My best experience of the workshop is the knowledge I get to receive and to be able, later at home, talk with my children about the things I previously had no idea about.
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Competences 4. What changes have you noticed during the workshop/group work etc.? A. I am more aware of the effect my communication and different approaches on other people. Im trying to be more respectful and polite, but at the same time Im trying to connect with a person on a personal level and have that personal contact, relationship. B. I have mostly noticed that since the beginning of the workshop I am much more able to follow the learning process, because at the beginning I had some trouble with the drop of concentration during the workshop, but now I have noticed that my listening skills and ability to participate in the group have majorly improved. 5. Do you feel more confident in your life? E.g. develop leader skills? A. I definitely feel better, because Im developing new skills and Im building new relationships as well. Im not a leader by nature, but I guess now I could manage a small workshop with elderly people (laughs). B. I certainly feel more comfortable, because now I am able to understand some things regarding technology/computers that I previously had no clue about, which gives me opportunities to talk more with my friends and coworkers who were much more qualified in that regard. 6. And by that do you feel more connected to your community? A. Definitely! Ive met so many people from my community and now I have a much stronger feeling of belonging. B. Not per se, but I have met a few new people and in that regard I feel that I have expanded my social net, and on the other hand, I am now much more familiar with the state of my community and maybe I can now try to participate in events that try to improve this state.
7. What types of things should people be learning to make their life better within community? A. I think this workshop is right on the spot. Ti is those different approaches and ways to communicate with others. That helps us to build new and better relationships that is what leads to a better life. B. I think that people should primarily try to actively participate in social events in their communities, because that way they show they care about that. Secondly, people should be more aware that they contribute to the state of their community and is therefore their obligation to create and participate in events that keep the community alive.
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Values 8. Were my values respectable by the educator/teacher? A. Yes, they were. B. I think they were. 9. Is this group and participants were treated equally? A. Yes, definitely. B. Yes, the mentor really did his best to try to make everyone to participate. 10. Do we as a group can work together/ learn from each other despite differences in values and opinions? A. Yes, of course. I think that is the beauty of it. Learning from each others experiences and different way and approaches was very helpful and also a new way to learn and develop new skills. Difference is a source of diversity, creativity and expansion of knowledge. B. Certainly. Even though there is difference in opinions, when people work towards the same goal, they are obligated to work together and through that they learn to respect others values, because that is the most appropriate way to reach the set goal. Context 11. Is the knowledge gives you a short-term support/ad hoc relief or it strengthens and inspires you for future actions? A. Both. It gives me the short-term support that I need and it definitely inspires me for the future. B. I primarily think that this knowledge improves my position in the future, because it gives me some skills, which can be important in these difficult times, especially regarding job opportunities etc.
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12. Is it better for you to work in a group or alone? A. It depends on the situation. I like group activities, but there are certain situations, were one on one approach is better. B. Personally, I prefer working alone, because I can better concentrate on my work that way, but I understand there are projects, where a group can be a better solution, because it simply offers more ideas and options than a person working alone, so I can adjust to working in a group. 13. Do you need help / presence of an animator, "authority" etc.? A. Not on the daily bases. Support of a mentor is welcome, when it comes to group meetings to discuss our work and problems we might have, while working as a volunteer. B. It depends on the situation/project and the interest I have in a project. 14. Do you prefer to work in an environment familiar to you, because then you can attend meetings or there are different than you, because then you can experience much diversity, inspiration, courage to act? A. It is more comfortable for me to work in a familiar environment, because I feel at home and safe. I do take working in an unfamiliar environment as a challenge, from which I can learn and grow. B. My preference is that I work in a familiar environment, because that way I know how to approach other members, the unfamiliar environment can, however, be important to get an objective evaluation of your work.
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Conflict 15. How do you solve conflicts arising in group? 16. How do you deal with crisis situations arising in the group? A. So far we havent had any conflict or crisis situations. There might be some difference of opinions or views in the group. Usually we talk it through. Each one gets a chance to explain his or hers point of view, we discuss it and, if necessary, we find a compromise. B. I cannot say that we have had any conflicts, because we all have, as previously mentioned, the same goal and we reckon we are not skilled enough to reach the goal ourselves, that is why we understand we need outside assistance, so we dont have issues, where some members think they can do everything without anyones help.
Evaluation - self-evaluation, feedback from the group 17. What helps you to achieve the purpose of being here? A. Personal motivation, kind and friendly people and mentors, practical implications and a welcoming and relax environment. B. My personal wish to be able to functionally use the computers and other hi-tech appliances as well as support of my family.
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18. Why your activity were succeed/ fail? A. It was successful because it encouraged us to share our experience and views, so we could learn from each other. It was great because we worked on ourselves. It was based on us as a human being, to help us develop skills that we need. It helped us include our strengths in our work. B. I think the activity was successful, because we were all there with the same goal and were able to communicate with each other in accomplishing that goal. Special mention goes to our mentor, who did everything in his power to help us, no matter how much trouble he had with us. 19. Which of the strengths of the group have been used? A. The main one would be the diversity of experience and approaches. B. I think the main strength of the group was the realization of the group that we were there to learn and that caused the better cooperation in the group. 20. Who benefited from your actions? How has the group work benefited the community, group, etc.? A. I hope that my colleagues from the workshop, but mainly the elderly people I started working with. I think it will have a good effect on raising the quality of life of elderly people. It will bring the community closer together. B. I reckon I have been the main beneficiary of the learning process. The group work has definitely shown the community that there are actions that the community undertakes to help its general state. 21. How can you share your knowledge with others? (E.g. blogs, fb, memory book etc.) A. I discuss it with my family and friends. I definitely recommend volunteer work and this workshop to others. B. I have mostly been the receptor of this knowledge (laugh), so I think this is a bit obsolete, but I congratulate to everyone that is involved in this process that helps us to go with the time.
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Newsletter 3/5 October 2013

LEARNERS CORNER: CATCHING THE LEARNERS POINT OF VIEW

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

Questions for learners.

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

AUGUST HORCH AKADEMIE GMBH

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SEINJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

EPIMORFOTIKI KILKIS SM LLC

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

CYPRUS YOUTH CLUBS ORGANIZATION

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

CIVIL COLLEGE FOUNDATION

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

LOCAL ACTIVITY SUPPORT CENTRE - CAL

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view

SHARING LEARNING IN COMMUNITIES

Learners corner: catching the learners point of view