New ways of learning

Many people say they would like to learn more

Adults with poor literacy and numeracy skills say they are keen to learn more - especially if they could use computers to do so.

Many in this group have never failed at home with a computer and they feel they've probably failed in educational institutions

Alan Wells, Basic Skills Agency

A survey for the Basic Skills Agency suggests that, far from being put off by the idea of taking tests, they would like to get extra qualifications.

But there are implications for traditional educational institutions, particularly further education colleges, which could mean a big shake-up in the way they operate.

The survey follows the Moser Report, which indicated that one fifth of adults in England had severe problems with basic literacy and numeracy.

The Basic Skills Agency commissioned Mori to ask adults themselves for the first time why and how they wanted to improve their skills. Just over 600 around Great Britain took part.

"The findings break down many assumptions previously held by educationalists," the agency says.

Lessons to be learned

Its director, Alan Wells, said a lot of people had always said those who lacked basic skills would not want to do tests, for instance.

"But a lot of them do actually want to do tests as long as it leads to something widely recognised and credible, they're not bothered about doing tests if it leads to something worthwhile.

"Lots of people say they've got to join classes in colleges and things like that, whereas a lot of them actually want to learn at home with a computer."

He thinks part of the reason for that finding is that computers are great levellers.

"Many in this group have never failed at home with a computer and they feel they've probably failed in educational institutions.

"Because in a sense all of us of certain age groups never learned with computers at school, there's no sense of stigma attached.

"A lot of people who are really worried about computers are relatively well-educated, middle class, older people."

Among the findings:

• a third of adults think that their basic skills need improving
• 29% said they would definitely take up a basic skills course and 42% said they would probably do so
• main reasons are emotional - "to feel better about yourself/ your skills" - and practical - "to be better at everyday tasks which involve basic skills"
• 41% would prefer teaching to be in their own home

Only about one in 20 of the estimated seven million adults with poor literacy and numeracy ever join a course or go to a class.

Mr Wells said there was a need to be more imaginative about using media such as television and the internet to reach people.

"A lot of these people actually want to do something different - learn in their own home, learn with a computer, have a helpline," he said.

'Stop filling up classrooms'

So there were lessons for colleges, too.

"Stop trying to fill up classrooms and empty buildings," Mr Wells said.

"Start trying to think of people in a contract with you where you perhaps never see them, or won't see them on a regular basis but you might be able to provide advice and support for them - but don't spend your time saying 'Why don't you come and join our classes?' "

It would require funding changes, but also a change of vision about education.

"If we think of education as being people in buildings on a Tuesday evening, then we've got no hope," Mr Wells said.