Social Communities of Learning
Since the early 1900’s there has been a shift in the emphasis from learning with the focus being on the individual (local) to learning as part of a community (global). The emergence of social communities have worked in tandem with established forms of learning to educate the masses. These social communities were called by various names each having a different function and or terms of reference. Local learning takes place within ‘self’, as we learn people learn with us and from us, in a non formal or informal way. As we learn we tend to build social communities of learning, to enable us to counter the challenges we face, either individually or in groups. Social communities act in unison to bring about change and influence to structure social values. In social movements/civic organisations we challenge our individual roles to become one structure with a varying impact on civil society. When we identity with groups of similar nature on the global stage, our learning becomes globalised and we then participate on the public domain.
The conceptualisation of ‘learning communities’ is currently what is at the fore of much educational and organisational literature and debate. Learning communities are being defined and used in diverse and flexible ways. Learning communities have grown in the different learning spaces afforded to them, be it social, political or economics. This learning has taken different forms and has been adapted to meet the social norms, the political lobbying and the geographical needs of the various communities of purpose.
Information and communication technologies (ICT) have facilitated the emergence and rapid growth of learning communities whose members interact from remote corners of the globe to form online learning communities. The use of pop education in the early sixties also gave rise to new and non formal ways of learning. Using these mechanisms, adult learning has impacted on civic participation through changes in resources, networks,
The conceptualisation of ‘learning communities’ is currently what is at the fore of much educational and organisational literature and debate. Learning communities are being defined and used in diverse and flexible ways. Learning communities have grown in the different learning spaces afforded to them, be it social, political or economics. This learning has taken different forms and has been adapted to meet the social norms, the political lobbying and the geographical needs of the various communities of purpose.
Information and communication technologies (ICT) have facilitated the emergence and rapid growth of learning communities whose members interact from remote corners of the globe to form online learning communities. The use of pop education in the early sixties also gave rise to new and non formal ways of learning. Using these mechanisms, adult learning has impacted on civic participation through changes in resources, networks,
References: Freire, P., The Politics of Education: Culture, Power and Liberation Ismail, S. – Popular pedagogy and the changing political landscape: a case study of a women’s housing movement in South Africa. –Studies in Continuing Education, Vol 3, No. 3 Nov 2009 (281-295) Preston, J., and Feinstien, L. (2004) - Adult learning and attitude change, London Centre for Research on the wider benefits of learning, Research Report 11 Schuller,T., Preston, J., Hammond, C., Brassett-Grundy,A. and Bynner,L., (2004) – The benefits of Learning: the impact of education on health, family life and social capital. www.pep-oman.org Word count 2018