Community learning projects: transforming post-compulsory education provision in rural communities

Article

McLachlan, Kathryn and Arden, Catherine H.. 2009. "Community learning projects: transforming post-compulsory education provision in rural communities." Rural Society: the journal of research into rural and regional social issues in Australia. 19 (2), pp. 146-162. https://doi.org/10.5555/rsj.19.2.146
Article Title

Community learning projects: transforming post-compulsory education provision in rural communities

ERA Journal ID22045
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsMcLachlan, Kathryn (Author) and Arden, Catherine H. (Author)
Journal TitleRural Society: the journal of research into rural and regional social issues in Australia
Journal Citation19 (2), pp. 146-162
Number of Pages17
Year2009
PublisherRoutledge
Place of PublicationWagga Wagga, Australia
ISSN1037-1656
2204-0536
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.5555/rsj.19.2.146
Web Address (URL)http://www.atypon-link.com/EMP/doi/abs/10.5555/rsj.19.2.146
Abstract

Rural communities such as Stanthorpe on Queensland's Southern Downs in Australia, are familiar with turbulent environmental, social, technological and economic change and the adversity that frequently accompanies such changes. The capacity of individuals and communities to bounce back from adversity is referred to as resilience. Participation in lifelong and life-wide learning is promoted as a strategy for rural community development, resilience and renewal. Stanthorpe which declared itself as a 'learning community' in 2005, has been described as resilient, not only by the people who live there, but also by outsiders who view the community as a friendly, vibrant lifestyle choice.
This paper reports a reflexive analysis of three learning community projects undertaken by a group of community leaders in partnership with their regional universities that used Participatory Action Research (PAR) and evaluation to draw on and mobilise 'insider' and 'outsider' resources and expertise to promote purposive action to address their particular issues. Using processes of introspection and collaborative, critical reflection, the authors review each of these projects and propose these as a form of non-accredited post-compulsory education that succeeds in serving the lifelong learning aspirations of the community.

Keywordsadult learning; lifelong learning; participatory action research (PAR); fourth generation evaluation
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020441003. Rural sociology
520599. Social and personality psychology not elsewhere classified
390301. Continuing and community education
Public Notes

Copyright eContent Management Pty Ltd 2009.
Paper in special issue of journal: Sea Changes, Tree Changes and Bush Lessons: Post-compulsory Education and Rural Renewal. Harreveld, R. E. (Bobby); Danaher, Geoff and Danaher, Patrick Alan.

Byline AffiliationsCommunity Development Services, Australia
Faculty of Education
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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