ESRC Festival of Social Science: Alternative places and spaces for learning – 8, 9 and 11 November

How do we foster the qualities that support young people in meeting life’s changing demands? What skills and knowledge will they need to succeed educationally?

These are questions that will be asked during the Economic & Social Research Council’s (ESRC) prestigious events taking place in Reading on 8, 9 and 11 November (see below for sign up). Themes that will be examined in detail include the value of alternative places and spaces for learning with a particular focus on children and young people who, for differing reasons, can face a future of disadvantage and marginalisation.

Two studies concern the role of the outdoor environment drawing on research by the IoE’s Dr Carol Fuller on the impact of outdoor activities on attainment, confidence and sense of efficacy, and the IoE’s Dr Helen Bilton’s work on the importance of risk taking in encouraging young children to become independent, confident in themselves and in learning.

In contrast, a third study (Porter 2016) reveals the scope for unintentional learning in the development of an ipad game with children with Down syndrome and their peers.

Further information

Contact: Professor Jill Porter

• 8^th November :  @ 9.30-11am  Playdays, Tilehurst Library School Rd, Reading RG31 5AS
• 9^th November @ 10.20am onwards Toddler and Mothers group, Wycliffe Church233 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS
• 11^th November @ 3.30 Reading Youth and Community Centre, Northumberland Avenue, Whitley Reading.

The ESRC is the UK’s largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It supports independent, high quality research which has an impact on business, the public sector and civil society.