our own voice

Just because we have learning challenges does not make us any different then anyone else. We have a right to learn and be the best that we can be. The community of literacy is all about adult learners and it is a wonderful mixture of the peoples of Canada; but haven't you found that we are always spoken for, thought for, and done for? I believe we have a right to our own representation and our own voice. What do you think?

By Patricia Ashie

an actively involved participant in my destiny

I hope you are all enjoying the gift of this day. Here are my answers to the questions, let me know what you think, your opinions are important to me.

What does it sounds like when learners speak?
I think learners sound like anyone else. We talk about our friends, families, love, news, politics and what we are doing or is affecting our life's. There is nothing different about us except we have learning challenges, but doesn't everyone have some sort of challenges?

What happens when learners speak?
When learners speak we are making connections providing understandings and a sense of community. Speaking out provides familiarity and the understanding that we are not alone.

Change comes from factual knowledge and understandings; knowledge and understanding comes from the connections we make and interactions coming from those connections which leads to the development of growing confidences in our own value and our importance in our society.

Why doesn't Minnie want sympathy and what does she want instead?
Unfortunately I can not view Minnie's video because I with Minnie have dial-up connection with my computer. However, from the title I get an impression of where she is coming from. I am always saying in regards to myself that I do not want a pity party, there is nothing to feel sorry for me about and I have much better things to do with my life then to dwell in the pity party arena.

What does Jerry want?
My take about Jerry, HE is amazing!!!! He wants learners to connect and have their own representation and he wants education to be part of the Bill of Rights. I agree 100% until Education becomes an equal opportunity right we will always provide an unequal playing field in our society. We have a right to learn and our learning challenges should be given the same consideration and respect has any other challenge. I believe it is a human right for us to be the best that we can be.

What do you want?
My opinion the most important issue that learners need to speak up about is to have their own representation. We are always being spoken for thought for and done for. Our destiny is reliant on what others believe is right for us. They make life decisions for us. I want to be an actively involved participant in my destiny.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

By Patricia Ashie

questions about learning circles

What do you think of the Working for change in a learning circle video?

I thought it was great. It had a lot to offer.

What are the advantages of the learning circles approach?
You are more open to ideas.

What are the disadvantages of the learning circles approach?
I don't think there are any disadvantages in the learning circle approach.

What are the advantages of the hierarchical approach?
We could achieve our goals and reach to success. We can all learn from each other.

What are the disadvantages of the hierarchical approach?
Everyone may not agree. but we can still work at reaching our goals.

What other approaches could help learners speak?
As a group we can all make a stand to achieve what we believe in.

by Michelle

ownership and safety

The learning circle audio was very interesting and informative and I agree with most of the comments.

The learning circle does promote my views but the word safety I believe takes value away form the individual who has made a commitment to self and are facing on a daily bases what appears to be insurmountable challenges to achieve the dream that planted the seed for their goals in life.

Yes the learning circle is to provide an arena of openness and acceptance, however the very reason we would be in a learning circle is because we have stepped outside of our safety zone. We decided that the comfort of the familiar in our lives was no longer beneficial for our search of self. I don’t think we need to feel safe, I believe what is more important is respect of an individuals belief’s and knowledge’s and the realization that all belief’s and knowledge’s are not right or wrong because they are based on what we know at that given time.

Learning Circle Approach Advantages: The learning circle would be an amazing arena for the expansion of knowledge’s because of the right to be an individual, and all knowledge’s are good knowledge’s and must be accepted.
Learning Circle Approach Disadvantages: The group in the learning circle may become so involved in their own issues that they for get to look outside of themselves.

Hierarchical Approach Advantages: Sound leadership can provide a directional, productive, orderly, balanced and inclusive foundation for an organization.
Hierarchical Approach Disadvantages: Poor leadership can present a lack of direction, productivity, order, balance and inclusion, which leads to confusion, mistrust and credibility.

Other Approaches: Ownership
I believe learners need to have the opportunities and tools required for them to be active participants in the development of self. This provides ownership. What I own I am responsible for and I will stand up for what is mine. It is my right to learn, it is my right to be the best that I can be and it is my right to be an active participant in my development.

by Patrica Ashie

each person does one thing...

When you are working on a group activity then each person does one thing and when they are finished with the one thing then work on the next. Also have meetings once a week and bring your notes together with others and discuss what you have done so far and what is the next step needs to be accomplished. If you are doing a fundraiser then you will need to book a hall, send out letters informing the public what you are fundraising for and where the money will be put towards.

Yvonne Spicer

part of something great

The common theme that I hear "in the learning circle" is the same as the need to be part of something great. The family unit echoes that greatness and embodies all of the processes that learning has to offer. The hierarchy approach can stifle any idea that might, not only improve the circumstances but also improve the individual ability.

We all want to be leaders in some form or another, I believe, that basically comes from the need to exercise that new knowledge we picked up over the years. The hierarchy method can be thought of as having the initiative to be assertive in believing in what we have learned about ourselves to be true.

by Mike Altirei

Learners Advisory Network

Hello everyone,

I am leaving for Ottawa to meetings with the Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL); which is an organization that represents literacy in Canada and the Learners Advisory Network (LAN); which is made up of adult learners from provinces in Canada . I will return on Friday.

One of the topics of discussion will be looking into having Associations of Adult Learners/Students in every province of Canada.

What do you think of this idea?

At the present time Adult learner representation for LAN is selected by the Literacy coalitions from each province.

I believe Adult Learner representation should be chosen by Adult Learners not the coalitions.

What is your opinion about this?

I am very much in favour of this. We Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk and we have a right to represent ourselves.

I am an Adult Learner and your Adult Learner/Student Representative in Ontario. Everywhere I go I speak and represent Adult Learners/Students. The more I hear from you the better I can represent our needs, concerns and ideas towards the betterment of literacy, literacy programs, and Adult Learners/Students. Adult Learners/Students are 48% of the population of Canada; your words are important and powerful. Lets join in the circle has one and let our voices be heard.

Have a great week everyone and I wish you and all that you love the very best.

Patricia Ashie Very Proud Adult Learner