Themes

Influences on participation in learning

Experiences of learning

Technology and learning

» Themes/Influences on participation in learning/Motivations

Meeting other people: Socialising as a motivation to learn

For certain people, the most important aspects of engaging in learning are to do with meeting new people and learning as part of a group. 

In particular, this is a central motivation for those who lack daily contact with other people, such as those in unemployment, retirement or suffering from health problems. Learning can be an opportunity to get out of the house and meet new people and interact with them, which these individuals otherwise may not have.

One woman who is on incapacity benefit talks about what her weekly class means to her:

"I'm meeting different people; I'm not just sat in the house on me own, no-one to talk to, at the end of the day it's no life really. I'm getting out, alright it might only be for a few hours on a Tuesday morning, you know, but I'm getting out. I'm meeting different people, I'm finding out what they're doing you know, and I am getting to see how other people are as well, so it's good."

For many of these people, learning is considered to be a leisure activity and something to be enjoyed. Rather than regarding a qualification or particular skill as the ultimate goal, often the learning process itself is the main aim of those who see learning as a way in to socialising.

Because of this, the types of courses that people do in order to socialise often differ from the courses that people do with other motivations influencing them. They tend to be more leisure-based rather than based on vocational skills, as the learners are predominantly concerned about meeting other people.

Overall, for those who do not have many opportunities to spend time with other people, learning is a valuable chance to meet others whilst gaining new skills.

Back to Motivations