Overview
How do you turn your commitment to Learner Voice into meaningful, everyday practice?
Learner Voice supports participatory and democratic learning environments where power is shared, diverse perspectives are valued, and decision-making becomes more transparent and inclusive. It contributes not only to improved educational experiences but also to wider social change by helping to create more equitable, just, and democratic societies.
The Learner Voice Digital Badge is an eight-week programme designed for Further Education and Training (FET) staff and adult and community education practitioners who want to embed meaningful learner participation in their practice.
Through peer collaboration, expert input, and tailored content, participants develop the skills needed to normalise Learner Voice processes that lead to real and sustained change.
On successful completion, participants earn a verifiable and shareable digital credential that demonstrates their achievement and provides evidence of the skills developed throughout the programme.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will understand:
- The foundations of Learner Voice and its role in Further Education and Training;
- How to embed Learner Voice as a structured and sustainable process;
- Practical approaches for capturing learners’ experiences and using them to inform meaningful change;
- How to establish and support participatory structures, such as learner councils;
- Strategies for initiating and sustaining Learner Voice initiatives.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is designed for staff who:
- Work directly with learners;
- Have responsibility for Learner Voice within their organisation;
- Support learner development in areas such as learner support, inclusion, or progression;
- Work in quality assurance roles;
- Collaborate with AONTAS, including through the National FET Learner Forum.
What’s Involved?
- An eight-week programme requiring approximately 1.5 hours per week;
- Seven self-directed online modules;
- Five online peer-learning triad meetings;
- One live webinar;
- A design activity submitted for review to achieve the digital badge.
Learning Approach
- Weekly self-directed learning throughout the programme;
- Structured peer learning through triad meetings;
- A live webinar supporting shared learning and reflection.
Participants should ensure that they are available to attend the scheduled triad meetings.
For more information, contact Ruby Cooney at rcooney@aontas.com.
Course Developers
This project is funded through the New European Agenda for Adult Learning (NEAAL).
This open course was developed by:
Ruby Cooney
Education Projects Officer, AONTAS
Karyn Farrell
Learner Voice Projects Officer, AONTAS
Conor Thompson
Head of Advocacy and Policy, AONTAS
