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
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q0w80/community-learning-projects-transforming-post-compulsory-education-provision-in-rural-communities

Log in to edit
  • 1792
    total views
  • 7
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Social participation, altruism and learning opportunism: A phenomenography of adults’ learning through workplace experiences in rural community volunteering
Arden, Catherine. 2023. "Social participation, altruism and learning opportunism: A phenomenography of adults’ learning through workplace experiences in rural community volunteering." Australian Journal of Adult Learning. 63 (3), pp. 367-397.
Exploring Cross-Cultural Understandings of Teacher Leadership: A Phenomenographic Study
Arden, Catherine and Okoko, Janet M.. 2023. "Exploring Cross-Cultural Understandings of Teacher Leadership: A Phenomenographic Study." Webber, Charles F. (ed.) Teacher Leadership in International Contexts. Switzerland. Springer. pp. 51-81
Exploring cross-cultural perspectives of teacher leadership among the members of an international research team: a phenomenographic study
Arden, Catherine and Okoko, Janet Mola. 2021. "Exploring cross-cultural perspectives of teacher leadership among the members of an international research team: a phenomenographic study." Research in Educational Administration and Leadership. 6 (1), pp. 51-90. https://doi.org/10.30828/real/2021.1.3
Exploring a cross-cultural perspective of teacher leadership among researchers: A phenomenographic study
Okoko, Janet M. and Arden, Catherine H.. 2020. "Exploring a cross-cultural perspective of teacher leadership among researchers: A phenomenographic study." 33rd International Congress on School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI 2020). Marrakech, Morocco 06 - 10 Jan 2020
Exploring cross-cultural perspectives of teacher leadership among the members of an international teacher leadership research team: a phenomenographic study
Arden, Catherine and Okoko, Janet. 2019. "Exploring cross-cultural perspectives of teacher leadership among the members of an international teacher leadership research team: a phenomenographic study." Kondakci, Yasar, Emil, Serap and Beycioglu, Kadir (ed.) 14th International Congress on Educational Administration (ICEA 2019). Cesme-Izmir, Turkey 02 - 04 May 2019 Turkey.
Supporting vocational and career development learning in ACE: implications for VET teachers and VET teacher education
Arden, Catherine. 2019. "Supporting vocational and career development learning in ACE: implications for VET teachers and VET teacher education." 5th Annual Conference on VET Teaching and VET Teacher Education: Diverse Pedagogies for Diverse VET Contexts (ACDEVEG 2019). Wagga Wagga, Australia 09 - 10 Dec 2019 Australia.
Realising the vision of technology integration: a case study of K-12 private schools in the United Arab Emirates
Mahmoud, Kheder, Arden, Catherine and Donovan, Jennifer. 2020. "Realising the vision of technology integration: a case study of K-12 private schools in the United Arab Emirates." Al Mahdi, Osama (ed.) Innovations in educational leadership and continuous teachers’ professional development. India. CSMFL Publications.
From frontier learning to blended community learning: a phenomenography of informal learning in rural community informatics
Arden, Catherine. 2017. "From frontier learning to blended community learning: a phenomenography of informal learning in rural community informatics." Volungeviciene, Airina and Szucs, Andras (ed.) 26th European Distance and E-learning Network Annual Conference: Diversity Matters! (EDEN 2017). Jonkoping, Sweden 13 - 16 Jun 2017 Budapest, Hungary.
Learning to create preferred futures: theorising informal and incidental learning in hybrid community learning spaces
Arden, Catherine. 2016. "Learning to create preferred futures: theorising informal and incidental learning in hybrid community learning spaces." Iken, Kerrie (ed.) Changes and Challenges: the Power of Education to Build the World to Which We Aspire - ACE 2016 National Conference. Sydney, Austrlaia 26 - 27 Sep 2016 Melbourne, Victoria.
GraniteNet phase 2 evaluation report
Arden, Catherine. 2009. GraniteNet phase 2 evaluation report. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Re-engineering Education research to investigate learning in community informatics: using phenomenography and variation theory to understand and account for learning in GraniteNet
Arden, Catherine Helen. 2014. "Re-engineering Education research to investigate learning in community informatics: using phenomenography and variation theory to understand and account for learning in GraniteNet." Stillman, Larry, Denison, Tom and Anwar, Misita (ed.) 11th Prato CIRN Conference: Challenges and Solutions. Prato, Italy 13 - 15 Oct 2014 Melbourne, Australia.
An inquiry into learning in rural community informatics: understanding, facilitating and accounting for learning in the GraniteNet Project
Arden, Catherine. 2016. An inquiry into learning in rural community informatics: understanding, facilitating and accounting for learning in the GraniteNet Project. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland.
Community enrichment program: developing digital learning in rural aged care
McDonald, Lisa and Arden, Catherine. 2015. Community enrichment program: developing digital learning in rural aged care. Bendigo, VIC, Australia. Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Educational Learning and Development: Building and Enhancing Capacity
Baguley, Margaret, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Davies, Andy, De George-Walker, Linda, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren and Arden, Catherine H.. 2014. Educational Learning and Development: Building and Enhancing Capacity. Basingstoke, United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan.
A small town with big ideas: stories from GraniteNet
Arden, Catherine H. and McLachlan, Kathryn. 2014. "A small town with big ideas: stories from GraniteNet." Postle, Glen David, Burton, Lorelle Jane and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Community capacity building: lessons from adult learning in Australia. Leicester, United Kingdom. NIACE. pp. 160-176
Contemporary capacity-building in educational contexts
Danaher, Patrick Alan, Davies, Andy, De George-Walker, Linda, Jones, Janice K., Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Arden, Catherine H. and Baguley, Margaret. 2014. Contemporary capacity-building in educational contexts. Basingstoke, United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan.
Evaluating our research team's first three years to identify broader strategies for effective and sustainable capacity constructions
Tyler, Mark A., Turner, Michelle, Peel, Karen, Oliver, Mark E., Noble, Karen, Midgley, Warren, McLennan, Brad, McIlveen, Peter, Matthews, Karl J., Jones, Janice Kathleen, Henderson, Robyn, Fogarty, Roderick J., De George-Walker, Linda, Davies, Andrew, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Baguley, Margaret and Arden, Catherine H.. 2012. "Evaluating our research team's first three years to identify broader strategies for effective and sustainable capacity constructions." Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Robyn, Henderson, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H. (ed.) Constructing capacities: building capabilities through learning and engagement. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 256-275
Analysing approaches to constructing capacities
Arden, Catherine H., Baguley, Margaret, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Davies, Andrew, De George-Walker, Linda, Fogarty, Roderick J., Henderson, Robyn, Matthews, Karl J., Jones, Janice, McIlveen, Peter, McLennan, Brad, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Oliver, Mark E., Peel, Karen, Turner, Michelle and Tyler, Mark A.. 2012. "Analysing approaches to constructing capacities." Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Matthews, Karl J., Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H. (ed.) Constructing capacities: building capabilities through learning and engagement. Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. pp. 4-30
Ego-resilience and psychological wellness in rural communities
Buikstra, Elizabeth, Rogers-Clark, Cath, Ross, Helen, Hegney, Desley, King, Christine, Baker, Peter and McLachlan, Kath. 2011. "Ego-resilience and psychological wellness in rural communities." Celinski, Marek J. and Gow, Kathryn M. (ed.) Continuity versus creative response to challenge: the primacy of resilience and resourcefulness in life and therapy. Hauppauge, NY, USA. Nova Science Publishers. pp. 273-290
Flying blind, or going with the flow? Using constructivist evaluation to manage the unexpected in the GraniteNet project
Arden, Catherine, McLachlan, Kathryn and Cooper, Trevor. 2010. "Flying blind, or going with the flow? Using constructivist evaluation to manage the unexpected in the GraniteNet project." Journal of Community Informatics. 6 (3).
Building capacity through sustainable engagement: lessons for the learning community from the GraniteNet Project
Arden, Catherine, McLachlan, Kathryn and Cooper, Trevor. 2009. "Building capacity through sustainable engagement: lessons for the learning community from the GraniteNet Project." Australian Journal of Adult Learning. 49 (1), pp. 75-101.
The components of resilience - perceptions of an Australian rural community
Buikstra, Elizabeth, Ross, Helen, King, Christine A., Baker, Peter G., Hegney, Desley, McLachlan, Kathryn and Rogers-Clark, Cath. 2010. "The components of resilience - perceptions of an Australian rural community." Journal of Community Psychology. 38 (8), pp. 975-991. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20409
Towards some answers to the questions of ethics in collaborative research
De George-Walker, Linda, Arden, Catherine H. and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2010. "Towards some answers to the questions of ethics in collaborative research." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 114-135
Researching an authorial collaboration: reflections on writing a journal article
Arden, Catherine H., Tyler, Mark A. and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2010. "Researching an authorial collaboration: reflections on writing a journal article." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 72-86
Considering collaborations in writing a research book: implications for sustaining a synergistic research team
Tyler, Mark A., Noble, Karen, Midgley, Warren, Henderson, Robyn, De George-Walker, Linda, Danaher, Patrick Alan and Arden, Catherine H.. 2010. "Considering collaborations in writing a research book: implications for sustaining a synergistic research team." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 136-149
Sustaining and transforming collaborative research: principles and practices
Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A.. 2010. "Sustaining and transforming collaborative research: principles and practices." Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan, De George-Walker, Linda, Henderson, Robyn, Midgley, Warren, Noble, Karen and Tyler, Mark A. (ed.) Sustaining synergies: collaborative research and researching collaboration. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 1-12
A learning community two years on: reflecting on successes and framing futures
Arden, Catherine H., Cooper, T., McLachlan, K. and Stebbings, S.. 2008. "A learning community two years on: reflecting on successes and framing futures." Orr, Debbie, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Danaher, Geoff and Harreveld, R. E. (Bobby) (ed.) 5th International Lifelong Learning Conference: Reflecting on Successes and Framing Futures. Yeppoon, Australia 16 - 19 Jun 2008 Rockhampton, Australia.
Evaluating community engagement: lessons for an Australian regional university
Arden, Catherine, Cooper, Trevor and McLachlan, Kathryn. 2007. "Evaluating community engagement: lessons for an Australian regional university." Australasian Journal of University Community Engagement. 2 (1), pp. 18-27.
Leadership for mobilising change in educating teachers for further education and training
Tyler, Mark A., White, Robert D., Arden, Catherine H. and Danaher, Patrick A.. 2008. "Leadership for mobilising change in educating teachers for further education and training." McConachie, Jeanne, Singh, Michael J., Danaher, Patrick Alan, Nouwens, Fons and Danaher, Geoff (ed.) Changing university learning and teaching: engaging and mobilising leadership, quality and technology. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 5-24
Transforming place, space and inner terrain in three fields of adult education research
Danaher, Patrick Alan, Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H.. 2008. "Transforming place, space and inner terrain in three fields of adult education research." Henderson, Robyn and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) Troubling terrains: tactics for traversing and transforming contemporary educational research. Brisbane, Australia. Post Pressed. pp. 107-118
Framing the future of FET: student engagement, quality assurance and lifelong learning in further education and training teacher education programs
Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, P. A. and Tyler, Mark A.. 2008. "Framing the future of FET: student engagement, quality assurance and lifelong learning in further education and training teacher education programs." Orr, Debbie, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Danaher, Geoff and Harreveld, R. E. (Bobby) (ed.) 5th International Lifelong Learning Conference: Reflecting on Successes and Framing Futures. Yeppoon, Australia 16 - 19 Jun 2008 Rockhampton, Australia.
Curriculum leadership, quality and technology in a suite of Australian further education and training teacher education programs: making meaning, performing practice and constructing new learning futures
Danaher, P. A., Tyler, Mark A. and Arden, Catherine H.. 2007. "Curriculum leadership, quality and technology in a suite of Australian further education and training teacher education programs: making meaning, performing practice and constructing new learning futures." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 3 (2), pp. 74-83.
Promoting lifelong learning partnerships, pathways and andragogies: issues in evaluating and redesigning the postcompulsory teacher education professional experience at The University Of Southern Queensland
Tyler, Mark A., Arden, Catherine H. and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2006. "Promoting lifelong learning partnerships, pathways and andragogies: issues in evaluating and redesigning the postcompulsory teacher education professional experience at The University Of Southern Queensland." Orr, Debbie, Nouwens, Fons, Macpherson, Colin, Harreveld, R. E. (Bobby) and Danaher, Patrick Alan (ed.) 4th International Lifelong Learning Conference: Lifelong Learning: Partners, Pathways and Pedagogies. Yeppoon, Australia 13 - 16 Jun 2006 Rockhampton, Australia.
Struggling for purchase?: what shape does a vocational education and training agenda take within a contemporary university education faculty?
Arden, Catherine H., Danaher, Patrick Alan and Tyler, Mark A.. 2005. "Struggling for purchase?: what shape does a vocational education and training agenda take within a contemporary university education faculty?" International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 1 (1), pp. 32-47.