National Adult Learning Survey (NALS) 2002

The National Adult Learning Survey (NALS) series began with a baseline survey in 1997 which explored participation in a wide range of adult learning activities in the United Kingdom (UK). Further surveys were conducted in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the series is used by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to monitor the effectiveness of its adult learning policies and progress towards the National Learning Target for adult participation. This report presents the results from NALS 2002. The survey questioned participants about a variety of learning experiences, either ‘taught learning’, involving some formal teaching, or ‘self-directed learning’, over the previous three years. The report draws on the results of NALS 2002 to examine learning trends, learning among different groups, obstacles and incentives to learning, ‘taught’ and ‘self-directed’ learning, use of and attitudes towards information and communication technology (ICT), social capital and learning (involvement in leisure activities and voluntary/community activities and their relationship to learning), information, knowledge and attitudes about learning, and future learning intentions. Key findings include: the national learning target for adult participation has been met; participation levels are considerably lower than average among certain groups (people aged 70 and over, people with no qualifications, people with basic skills difficulties and adults living in the most deprived areas); non-learners mentioning childcare or transport difficulties said some form of assistance in these areas would encourage them to participate; the majority of respondents who had started learning had done so for job related reasons; information and communications technology (ICT) had been used by 70% of adults at some point in their lives; and almost all (94%) of learners had received some form of information, advice or guidance that had helped them with their learning decisions.

The National Adult Learning Survey (NALS) series began with a baseline survey in 1997 which explored participation in a wide range of adult learning activities in the United Kingdom (UK). Further surveys were conducted in 2000, 2001 and 2002 and the series is used by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to monitor the effectiveness of its adult learning policies and progress towards the National Learning Target for adult participation. This report presents the results from NALS 2002. The survey questioned participants about a variety of learning experiences, either ‘taught ...  [+] Show more