Literacy, Learning and Identities Research Seminar with Lyn Tett, Visiting Professor of Lifelong Learning, University of Strathclyde
Looks fascinating – wish I could go but will have to wait for dissemination:
“Centre for Lifelong Learning Research Seminar
Literacy, Learning and Identities
Lyn Tett, Visiting Professor of Lifelong Learning, University of Strathclyde
11th October 1.00-2.00pm
(light refreshments will be available from 12.30)
All Welcome
Venue: Conference Room 742, Centre for Lifelong Learning, Level 7, Graham Hills Building, 40 George St
Abstract
This presentation will argue that learning is not only about acquiring new skills and practices but is also about changes in people’s identity. However, learning identities tend to act as self-fulfilling prophecies, and so play a critical role in determining whether the process of learning will end with what counts as success or with what is regarded as failure. This is because identity as a competent learner is shaped by the complex interaction of a number of factors that include past learning experiences and the mediating effect of family influences upon them as well as the norms and values of the social networks to which individuals belong. So identities feed into, and are fed by, learning experiences.
Through a study of adult literacy learners that participated in community and work-based projects, it shows that people are not passive but they are constrained by the socio-cultural structures within which they act.
It demonstrates that negative experiences of schooling impact on learning identities but participating in programmes where students’ abilities and achievements are recognised by both their peers and tutors is crucial in changing negative views of their competence as learners.
Lyn Tett is Professor Emeritus of Community Education and Lifelong Learning at the University of Edinburgh and Professor of Community Education at the University of Huddersfield. She has written widely in the field of literacy and access to education.
RSVP: Janice MacWhirter, janice.macwhirter@strath.ac.uk, Centre for Lifelong Learning, indicating whether you require lunch at 12.30.”
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- Tagged: Learning Identities Research Seminar Lyn Tett, literacy
RaPAL 
It can be difficult for RAPAL members and others to get to events especially where they are far away – would be useful if copies of such presentations made at such events were collected on this web site! Rob
Happy to Rob. Lyn has also indicated she is happy to share here. Thanks for the feedback!
I’m happy to post my presentation on the web-site. Lyn Tett
Thank you Lyn for sharing this presentation on Literacy, Learning and Identities which looks at social learning and its interaction with identity formation. It includes commentary from learners on involvement in learning and personal change and progression.