ARTSKUL

ARTSKUL project is developing innovative methods of attracting adults into the education system. Available statistical data show that approximately one quarter of adults in the EU aged 25 to 64, i.e., around 70 million people, has not completed any formal education level above lower secondary education. This pertains also to 20 million people who have left the education system having only completed elementary education. OECD’s survey of adult skills (PIACC) has determined that in the 17 countries participating in the first round, on average 19.9% and 23.6% of adults have a low score in literacy and calculation skills.

The survey also points to the fact that adults with low or no qualifications, unemployed, economically inactive and older persons are highly unlikely to take part in lifelong learning. According to research, as much as 80% of adults not participating in education or some other kind of training have no interest in organised learning activities. Partners in this project believe that new approaches are necessary to engage marginalised groups in lifelong learning.

ARTSKUL suggests a new, innovative approach where learning is based on art, including music, drama and storytelling, so as to create a toolbox of education resources aimed at more interesting acquisition of key skills by low-qualified adults. Partners believe that the traditional education model, whereby a teacher lectures with barely any interaction with the “audience”, does not fit into the idea of attracting this group of people, which requires a new, more comprehensive approach to teaching.

In a pedagogical context, performative arts of storytelling, drama and music are in the background, and are rarely considered adequate for the development of key competencies. Nevertheless, when used with marginalised adults with a low level of literacy, activities such as storytelling or drama and music workshops may be effective techniques for overcoming social and cultural barriers, as well as developing key competencies.