 |
 |
NEW NIACE HANDBOOK – A CURRICULUM FOR DIVERSITY
NIACE (The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) has developed a new resource to help improve, and widen access to, lifelong learning provision for adults from BME communities.
Entitled ‘Curriculum for Diversity: a guide for tutors and curriculum managers working with black and minority ethnic adult learners,’ this 85-page handbook specifically focuses on strategies for increasing participation in Personal and Community Development Learning (PCDL) - defined by the Learning and Skills Council as “Learning for personal development, cultural enrichment, intellectual or creative stimulation and for enjoyment” . PCDL generally offers a broad range of non-vocational curriculum areas, and there is no requirement for accreditation or for progression to other learning.
Divided into 10 chapters the handbook features information on the following topics and themes:
· Cultural competencies
· BME participation in PCDL
· BME learners’ experiences
· Statistical data on participation in PCDL nationally (and in a number of different regions by provider)
· Top tips from tutors working with BME learners
· Race equality legislation
· Ofsted inspections and PCDL
· Good practice case studies - taken from adult and family learning projects in Birmingham, Blackburn, Bolton, Hertfordshire, Leicester and Sheffield
· Equality and diversity in curriculum design and delivery
· Useful links to further sources of information
Many sections of the guide are relevant to the museum, library and archive sector and the introductory chapter also provides useful information about the national funding available to support PCDL (currently administered by the Learning and Skills Council).
A PDF copy of the guide can be downloaded from the NIACE website via the following link:
http://www.niace.org.uk/projects/curriculum-for-diversity/default.htm.
On a related matter…
Nationally, the Government has set aside a safeguarded budget of £210m for 2007/8 to support adult learning provision, of which:
· £120 million supports PCDL
· £33 supports learning provision in FE colleges, and
· £57 million supports Family Learning initiatives & Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC)
Each local/regional LSC is tasked with establishing PCDL partnerships (by May 2007) to oversee the distribution of funding, map the totality of PCDL provision and, ultimately, publish a prospectus on the range of learning opportunities available. If museum, library or archive service managers are interested in making a contribution to the work of these PDCL partnerships to further promote the sector’s learning offer you are encouraged to contact your local LSC, or write to Louise Proctor (Lifelong Learning Director, LSC National Office) c/o [log in to unmask].
.....................................................................................
Carol Dixon
Development Manager - Learning & Skills
MLA London
Fourth Floor
53-56 Great Sutton Street
London
EC1V 0DG
Direct line: 020 7549 1704
Main line: 020 7549 1700
Fax: 020 7490 5225
Email: [log in to unmask]
Website: www.mlalondon.org.uk
MLA London (Museums, Libraries and Archives London) is the strategic development agency for museums, libraries and archives in London. For further information please visit the website at www.mlalondon.org.uk.
Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution and copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender immediately and then delete the message and any associated files from your system.
Security Warning: Although this e-mail and its attachments have been screened and are believed to be free from any virus, in all cases it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that the e-mail and any associated attachments are virus free. MLA London will not accept liability for any damage caused by a virus.