1. And Then There Was One: Investigating ARIS, the Victorian Adult Education and Resource Information Service.
- Author
-
Hazell, Pat
- Abstract
The field of adult literacy and numeracy provision in Australia has developed and grown over the past 20 years. From a focus on student-centered learning and meeting community needs, it has evolved into a multi-faceted field incorporating community, technical and further education institutional, and workplace provision. Through ebbs and flows of politics and pedagogies, sites of delivery, and changing practitioner perspectives, the field has needed and provided itself support mechanisms. The Victorian Adult Education and Resource Information Service (ARIS) continues to thrive as a support service. It has an active and valued presence in its own state, through its resources and information services, professional development initiatives, and involvement in curriculum development, advisory, and project work. Resourcing and information services are carried out at a national level. Internationally, ARIS has a presence at adult literacy and numeracy conferences and draws on a range of international material. Despite limited funding, leading to constraints on time and staffing, it has been able to prioritize tasks and select and develop areas of strength. ARIS is aware of trends and shifts in the field and has responded to them. Constraints and challenges are the broad political situation, its identity, broadening responsibility, and funding. Needs of the adult literacy and numeracy field include more support than ARIS can provide, keeping and making accessible a resource collection, and adequate professional support. (Appendixes include 31 references, 9 Internet sites, and interview protocol.) (YLB)
- Published
- 2002