Conversations in Adult and Further Education

In this episode, I chat with Geraldine Mernagh about her experience of working in adult literacy and how it has changed since the 1980s. Geraldine gives us some great advice about reflecting on what drew us to our work in the first place so that we can decide what we want to carry with us as our profession changes.

In this episode, I am chatting with Geraldine Mernagh about Meritocracy. We discuss what meritocracy is, where the idea comes from and the problem it poses in adult education. We also discuss transformative education and helping learners to see their potential.

In this episode, I have a conversation with Anna Galligan, the outreach officer with Barnstorm Theatre Company in Kilkenny. Anna talks to me about her long career as a drama tutor. This is a fascinating look at Anna's approach to working with her students. Anna has really helped me to think outside the box with my teaching practice. Whether or not you are interested in drama, this episode will get you to think about your teaching in a completely new way.

In this episode, I chat with Sarah Bates about her research into FET tutor's identities. Sarah is a tutor with Waterford and Wexford ETB and is also a researcher and lecturer at Waterford Institute of Technology. Sarah talks about the diverse nature of the FET sector, how tutors see themselves within their profession and what motivates them in their work. I hope that tutors listening to this can identify with the tutors in Sarah's research.

In this episode, I am chatting with Catriona Warren from the Literacy Development Centre in Waterford Institute of Technology. Catriona has some useful advice if you are interested in keeping a reflective journal or are interested in understanding what reflective practice is.

In this episode, I chat with Dr Maeve O' Grady about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). We discuss what it is, how educational providers recognise RPL and why it is a worthwhile exercise for all of us to name and record all of our learning experiences, professional and personal. Apologies, we are recording from home so we have some sound issues. Episode Length: 22m54s

In this episode, I chat with Maeve O' Grady about the work of Paulo Freire and the significance of his ideas in contemporary Adult and Further Education. Episode Length: 31 minutes

This is the first in a series called talking with the Tutor, where I interview Tutors working in Adult and Further Education about their work. In this episode I am chatting with Mary Curtis, a tutor in Waterford and Wexford ETB. Mary talks about how she became a tutor and the creative ways that she engages her learners. I think there is a lot of good advice here for both new and experienced tutors. Enjoy! Total Length: 24m 51s

In this episode we are taking a sociological look at food, how our identity is intertwined with the foods that we eat and our traditions around food. We have a story about an avocado and we also talk about cake! Length: 34 mins.

Welcome to the first episode of Conversations in Adult and Further Education. In this episode Dr. Maeve O' Grady and I discuss neoliberalism. What is it? How does it impact educational planning and policy? How are those of us working within the further and adult education system affected by it? Here are a couple of links if you want to explore neoliberalism further: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/apr/15/neoliberalism-ideology-problem-george-monbiot Neoliberalism as a water balloon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIUWZnnHz2g