This resource encourages you to explore, with your colleagues, the support systems that you have in place to enable learners to overcome any barriers they encounter on their learning journeys.                                     

A number of common themes emerged as being significant to the progression process to staff and organisations. We called these ‘critical success factors’. They were: Working in person-centred ways. Working effectively in partnerships. Offering choice and advocacy. Providing effective information, advice and guidance. Planning an effective curriculum. (extract from Revolving Doors, Berkeley, V. and Tolhurst, E.)

 

The quality of the support that learners receive on their learning journeys will determine whether they are motivated to persist and to progress onto further learning. Learner motivation (both extrinsic and intrinsic) is key to ensuring progression. Motivational dialogue and learning conversations therefore underpin all stages of the learner journey and will enable learners’ needs and aspirations to be reviewed regularly so that support, advice and guidance can be personalised to the individual learner.

Additionally, through regular reviews, any challenges that the learner faces can be identified and addressed appropriately. Such challenges can also arise outside the learning environment and impact on learner motivation and therefore persistence with learning. The implementation of a comprehensive system of pastoral support is one measure that can ensure learners succeed and progress.

• Watch the video highlighting Tom Bonnett’s learning journey. Consider the range of professionals who have worked in partnership to ensure that the learning opportunities realistically match Tom’s aspirations. Download and read through the ‘Ensuring progression for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities’ case study. Work with colleagues to review your organisations strategies for supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Watch the video highlighting the role of union learning reps in supporting learner journeys. Who are your partners in supporting learner progression? What does progression mean to these learners?
• Explore the remaining video clips highlighting different aspects of learning journeys. What do you think progression means to these learners? What critical success factors for engagement, persistence and progression have they highlighted? Consider how you can work with your learners to develop personalised approaches for supporting learner progression.
• Explore the Learner journey activity. Work with colleagues to reflect on your own learning journeys. What were the key motivating factors that enabled you to persist and progress with learning?
• Consider how you can use the selected video clips to support stages 1 and 2 of the learner journey CPD activity. Amend the facilitator guidance accordingly.

Explore the Learner journey resources available on the Developing the expert learner website. Read the Revolving doors? report. A pdf of the document can be downloaded from www.niace.org.uk/Research/HDE/Documents/revolvingdoors.pdf