Learners Got Talent
In March 2010 four adult learners helped organise a national learners' conference in Nairn.
Davie, Shelley, Nicole and Julie used 'wikispaces' (a social networking site) and also attended meetings on the mainland to plan the conference.
The conference was funded using Leader funding and was held at the Newton Hotel, Nairn over a couple of days. Learners came from Western Isles, Moray, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. What a couple of days!
On the first night Aberdeenshire hosted a quiz - the Shetland team, supplemented by learners from the Western Isles won first prize (well done us!). The evening was about getting to know other learners and the Shetland team had a high profile from the start.
The conference was introduced by Moray learners with a keynote speech from the chairperson of the Irish Literacy Association (NALA) - himself an Adult Learner. 'Literacy is not just about reading and writing - it's about having the confidence to do more in life,' He talked about not being able to read and write and how he had learned through Adult Learning classes and how this had helped him develop his career.
A series of workshops followed, from creative writing to a bear hunt, from drumming to jewellery making. There were lots of displays and an opportunity to 'have your say' about the conference on VOXUR - a video in a box.
The Shetland group made a film of the event and was involved in putting together a report about the Conference. A Learner's got Talent song features in the film. A memorable event, well organised and it was great to meet other learners.
Click on the image to see a report of the event
