Learning in Networks and challenges related to the competence development of educators 5th Nordic Conference on Adult Learning Nordic Network for Adult Learning

Agenda Nordic AE cooperation Networks as: policy promoters added value to projects and local initiatives effective and efficient response to needs pool of resources from different sectors interest awakeners and motivators support 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 change Is an economically efficient (more for less), inclusive and flexible way of working; Formulate evidence based policy suggestions Synergies 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 methodology development; learning practice exchange 2008: survey of e-tools, visibility to existing resources and expertise : 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 networks Networks 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 networks Work 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?