Themes

Influences on participation in learning

Experiences of learning

Technology and learning

» Themes/Influences on participation/Barriers and Enablers

Information as a barrier and enabler

When people have sufficient, clear information about learning, it acts as an invisible enabler which gives people the tools they need to make an informed decision about the learning they want to do.

Generally, people have a good awareness of the range of ways that they can access information about learning; through specialist agencies, the careers centre, leaflets through the door and supplements in local newspapers and, specific to Hull, Changes the Learning Shop. Many people have used these methods in order to find and engage in learning, e.g. the following woman:

"...I went in there and said are there any courses that are 'idiot-proof' and she gave me a batch of papers and I saw the course and did it, which I thought was very useful."

Information about learning can be a huge barrier.

Availability of information - Some people don't know where to find information about learning, despite being aware that it must be available somewhere. This can be very frustrating for the people concerned, and forms an important barrier. If people don't know where to start looking for information in a structured way, it is left to chance as to whether or not they find the type of course they are looking for and unknown numbers of people may be missing out on learning opportunities.

The amount of time and effort that some people have to put in to find relevant information about learning is also off-putting. For those in employment, or with other commitments, it can be very difficult to get to the places where this information is available, e.g. schools, libraries etc. because of the opening hours of these places.

Some people have suggested that this information should be in other types of locations so it can be accessed by a greater cross-section of society going about their day-to-day lives, not just those who go to the library:

"I think they need more leaflets in places other than libraries and places like that, because that's like they are going for people that are going to be in the library kind of thing, whereas, if they were in, you know, pubs..."  

Not enough advertising - A number of people feel that learning is not advertised enough. They suggest that learning should be advertised in a range of different ways. Examples include ensuring leaflets are delivered to every household across the city rather than a patchy distribution, and advertising on local radio stations, television and buses.

The key note throughout people's suggestions is that information about learning should meet people where they are in their everyday lives, rather than being something to be searched for.

Because of insufficient advertising, through our research we have found many people to be aware of the larger learning providers such as colleges, but with less knowledge about the smaller organisations providing learning and training.

Overall then, being unable to find the right information about courses puts people at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to accessing learning opportunities. There is often a lack of awareness of services which already exist to support people by passing on information about learning. As well as this, people want this information to be easily accessible as they go about their daily lives.

Back to Barriers and Enablers