DESIGN AND CREATION OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL FOR ADULT INMATES BASED ON WILLIS'S TBL APPROACH. THE POSSIBILITIES OF DISTANCE LEARNING

Vasiliki Koutzeklidou, Evangelia (Gelly) Manousou, Anthi Karatrantou

Abstract


This paper explores the transformative potential of adult education in detention centers, focusing on language development and social reintegration. It unfolds across five key stages: identifying educational needs, instruction design, learning material design, implementing the course and evaluating its impact. At the heart of the study lies the creation of educational content grounded in Willis’ Task-Based Learning (TBL) model, tailored specifically to the realities of imprisonment. The pilot course conducted at the Larissa Detention Center with 16 male participants revealed meaningful outcomes. The educational material was shaped by the constraints and possibilities of prison life, integrating authentic tasks and culturally relevant experiences. Through TBL, learners engaged with language in ways that were practical, personal, and empowering—fostering autonomy, emotional resilience, and a renewed sense of identity. These elements are crucial for preparing individuals to reconnect with society upon release. A significant dimension of the study was the exploration of transferring this material to a distance learning format. The clarity of the structure, accessibility of instructions, and communicative orientation make it well-suited for both synchronous and asynchronous delivery. With adequate technological support, distance education emerges not merely as an alternative but as an essential pathway for inclusive learning behind bars. Ultimately, the paper argues that prison education is not a privilege—it is a right. When approached with pedagogical care and adaptability, it becomes a vehicle for personal growth, empowerment, and social justice. It challenges exclusion and affirms the principle that access to meaningful education must extend to all, regardless of circumstance.

 

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educational material, inmates, task-based learning, prison education, distance education

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References


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejoe.v10i3.6309

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