Society for Participatory Research in Asia

History

PRIA International Academy of Lifelong Learning (PIALL) established in 2005, is recognised as the academic wing of PRIA. Over the last 30 years, PRIA has collected an extensive body of knowledge in the form of research, studies, training programmes reports, reviews, evaluations, case studies as well as documentation and published books on a range of development themes. This rich collection of materials when combined with the voluminous range of books, periodicals and mimeographs from the PRIA library has created an invaluable warehouse of theoretical knowledge and field experiences. Classified under an elaborate "Knowledge Management System" it has become the backbone of the learning programmes developed by PRIA Continuing Education.

Therefore, at PIALL our courses not only contain the best of theoretical knowledge but are also enriched with the experiences and voices of individuals, groups and organisations across the world, who have worked extensively on these themes. This unique knowledge base is interwoven into techniques of Open and Distant Learning ,catering to the specific needs of learners who are not in a conventional classroom situation.

Advantages of studying here

The courses are targeted at mid-career professionals who wish to upgrade their knowledge base in terms of new learning’s, trends and experiences in the field. These courses are offered in the distance mode which makes it the most practical and viable way of doing so (given the constraints of time and resources).

Areas of specialisation

Participatory Research, Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, Occupational Health and Safety, Local Self Governance, Gender, Urban Planning

Description

PRIA International Academy of Lifelong Learning (PIALL) established in 2005, is recognised as the academic wing of PRIA. Over the last 30 years, PRIA has collected an extensive body of knowledge in the form of research, studies, training programmes reports, reviews, evaluations, case studies as well as documentation and published books on a range of development themes. This rich collection of materials when combined with the voluminous range of books, periodicals and mimeographs from the PRIA library has created an invaluable warehouse of theoretical knowledge and field experiences. Classified under an elaborate "Knowledge Management System" it has become the backbone of the learning programmes developed by PRIA International Academy of Lifelong Learning.

Therefore, at PIALL our courses not only contain the best of theoretical knowledge but are also enriched with the experiences and voices of individuals, groups and organisations across the world, who have worked extensively on these themes. This unique knowledge base is interwoven into techniques of Open and Distant Learning ,catering to the specific needs of learners who are not in a conventional classroom situation. The material designed for Distance Learning:
- Emphasises learning rather than teaching
- Uses self explanatory approaches
- Uses collaborative learning experiences
- Supports learner reflection
- Uses activities and projects that are relevant to the learners

At PIALL our dedicated team of profParticipatory Research, Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation, Occupational Health and Safety, Local Self Governance, Gender, Urban Planningle who have written the course and are therefore familiar with the learning process that the learner is going through. "Think Tank", "Note Bank" are some of the spaces designed for the learner to reflect on, analyse and process the information that is being received.

Though both learner and instructor are virtual characters in this learning process, there is a strong bond between the two. The instructor understands that the learning curve can be very demanding and hence plays more than just a tutorial role. She is constantly in touch with the learner planning, motivating, clarifying difficult concepts, persuading, monitoring and providing support wherever needed. Be it the difficulties that learners are facing in translating concepts into their professional spheres or personal factors that hinder their progress, they are all discussed and the best solutions reached.

At PIALL we believe that learning is a lifelong process and continuing education is a component of the larger educational process, which demands innovations in materials and technologies to meet changing needs; it helps develop new attitudes and dispositions towards learning; most importantly it paves the way for a new generation of learners who seek newer horizons and enables them to gain knowledge in their own as well as related fields and provide a holistic understanding of a specific theme or issue.