Lifelong Learning

Gravells (2012) suggests that for effective teaching and learning to take place all stages of the learning cycle must be addressed. There are five stages of the teaching and learning cycle, which are identifying needs; planning learning; facilitating learning; assessing learning; quality assurance and evaluation. The tutor’s role is to address all stages of the teaching and learning cycle; ensuring effective learning is attained from the onset. Assessment of learner’s needs is ascertained through application form, initial assessment, enrolment form and discussions between the tutor and learner, assisting to identify if the learner requires any extra support. As it could be that the learner requires the use of specialist equipment or referring to another service for additional support. Tutors must also be mindful of their boundaries regarding the teaching role and aware of when to make an appropriate referral for the learner, an example of this could be breeching confidentiality. Francis and Gould (2009) suggest that as professional’s in the LLS there is a responsibility to fulfil their duties to learner’s, colleagues and institutions and maintain appropriate standards in relation to the learner and the learning process.
Plan and Deign
Learning in the LLS could take place in a variety of settings including colleges, community resource centres or even work places. Prior to planning and delivering the sessions, the tutor has a responsibility to familiarise themselves with the environment and ascertain what resources and facilities are available. Lesson planning will be subject to many factors including resources, availability, room layout and restrictions. For example there is no use preparing a lesson plan on PowerPoint only to find there are no information technology (IT) facilities available.

The tutor will need to prepare a scheme of work and session plans relating to course they are going to teach. Activities will need to be designed for the learners along...