Funded Research

Funded Research

The Canadian Council on Learning’s Research and Knowledge Mobilization Directorate is pleased to announce that it has agreed to fund the following projects.

 

Adult Learning - 2007 Competition

Project Title: Blended Learning for Soft Skills Development: Testing a four-level framework for integrating work and learning to maximize personal practice and job performance
Project Lead:
Adams, Jean
Report: Blended Learning for Soft Skills Development: Testing a Four-Level Framework for Integrating Work and Learning to Maximize Personal Practice and Job Performance
Institution: York University
View project description »

Interest in delivering blended programs is growing with the increasing desire of Canadian organizations to empower workplace learning. The focus of this project is to compare the learning impact/outcomes of four different blended learning strategies for soft-skills development. It will involve York University’s Schulich School of Business and four hundred Scotiabank employees who will be randomly assigned to parallel course offerings using different blending strategies (e.g., self-directed e-learning; a blend of classes and e-learning; a blend of coaching and e-learning; and a blend of “stretch” action-learning projects and e-learning). Learning impact/outcomes will be evaluated and compared using a multi-method research approach.

Project Title: Intergenerational Literacy Project: Literacy for Life
Project Lead:
Anderson, Jim & Purcell-Gates, Victoria
Institution: University of British Columbia
Report: Implementing an Intergenerational Literacy Program with Authentic Literacy Instruction: Challenges, Responses, and Results
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This project will document the effectiveness of the implementation of a model for intergenerational literacy programs, suggested by research but never studied. This model includes low-literate adults reading and writing real-life texts for real-life purposes in addition to receiving targeted skill instruction. Further, students identify the texts they need/want to read and write in their lives. Analysis will result in descriptive data on the program implementation well as the degree to which each student experienced the reading/writing of real-life texts. Students’ progress will be documented with norm-referenced assessments of adult literacy and interview data on changes in their literacy practices.

Project Title: Context Situated Assistive Technology Supports and their Impacts on Engagement, Learning Outcomes, and Assistive Technology Adoption
Project Lead:
Brokop, Flo
Institution: NorQuest College
Report: Context Situated Assistive Technology Supports and their Impacts on Engagement, Learning Outcomes, and Assistive Technology Adoption
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Attrition rates for students with disabilities in post-secondary education are higher than for students without disabilities. Assistive technologies have, in practice, been identified as an equalizing resource. This project will investigate a model of assistive technology training and support, contextually based and delivered by Academic Strategists. It will determine if this intervention results in increased engagement and positive learning outcomes for adult students as defined by course completion and assistive technology adoption. This project will use primarily qualitative research methodologies, including document reviews and interviews with research participants including NorQuest students, academic staff, and faculty.

Project Title: Digital Stories of Coming to Learn: A community-based study of barriers and motivators to adult education for newcomer and low-income women
Project Lead:
Brushwood Rose, Chloë
Report: Digital Stories of Coming to Learn: Experiences of Access in a Community-based Digital Storytelling Workshop for Immigrant Women
Institution: York University
View project description »

The purpose of this research project is to explore the complex social and psychological factors that function as barriers and motivators to newcomer and low-income women who access community-based adult learning opportunities. In particular, this study will examine the educational biographies and experiences of women who participate in the digital storytelling workshops offered through the Central Neighbourhood House Women’s Program in Toronto. The aim of this research project is to offer educational researchers and community-based organizations greater insight into the complex social and personal dynamics that structure the participation of newcomer and low-income women in adult learning initiatives.

Project Title: Grassroots and Governance: Exploring Connections Between Active Citizenship, Civil Society, and Governance in Canada
Project Lead:
Gouthro, Patricia
Institution: Mount Saint Vincent University
Report: Grassroots and governance: Exploring informal learning opportunities to support active citizenship and community-based organizations within Canada
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This applied research study will uncover new ground exploring relationships between grassroots organizations, active citizenship, and governance in Canada. Opportunities and challenges for adult learning in community, learning and citizenship, and culture and diversity issues will be explored to provide insights into the policies and supports needed to foster a more active and engaged citizenry. Six civil society (grassroots) community-based organizations in Western, Central, and Eastern Canada will be studied to learn more about the supports and barriers that impact on the willingness and ability of Canadians from different backgrounds and contexts to participate actively as citizens. In addition, six to nine “key informants” (politicians, policy makers) will be interviewed to learn more about the connections between government, community organizations, and citizens.

Project Title: Minority-language community involvement and second language learning: providing target language opportunities for Francophone future English teachers in Quebec City
Project Lead:
Hummel, Kirsten
Institution: Université Laval
Report: Minority-language community involvement and second-language learning: Providing target language opportunities for Francophone future English teachers in Quebec City
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This study examines the effect of community-based learning on second language (L2) learners’ attitudes, motivation, and language skill. Participants will consist of Francophone L2 learners enrolled in a 4-year TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) degree program at a French-language university. Half of the participants (approximately 30) will be asked to engage in community activities with native speakers belonging to the Anglophone minority-language community in Quebec City; the other half will be asked to carry out more traditional academic assignments in the target language. The principal objective is to observe the effects that regular interactions and collaborative activities with native speakers over a 3.5-month period have on students’ attitudes towards the L2 and its community, on motivational variables, and on the L2 skills of these future language teachers.

Project Title: Skills demonstrated by adults who did not complete high school in an environmental problem-solving exercise
Project Lead:
Pruneau, Diane
Institution: University of Moncton
Report: Skills and practices observed among non-graduate adults in environmental problem-solving
View project description »

Adult literacy groups from Quebec and New-Brunswick will be invited to find adaptation solutions to a local impact of climate changes. In order to put their issue in context and to find original and efficient solutions, participants will be supported by scientists and guided by the use of representation and creativity strategies. Strategies discovered will be shared between participants, then discussed and enhanced with the local community. Researchers will observe adults' problem-solving skills and internal (experiential) and external (context) factors which foster and limit their abilities and their participation.

Project Title: Professional Development Learning Environments: Development, Exploration, and Evaluation
Project Lead:
vanOostveen, Roland
Institution: University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Report: Professional Development Learning Environments (PDLEs) Embedded in a Collaborative Online Learning Environment (COLE)
View project description »

The proposed research will examine a series of new and creative interactive web-based Professional Development Learning Environments (PDLEs) designed by teams of professional teacher educators. Each environment would include common features such as the establishment of a community of practitioners, the use of video case-based instruction, synchronous and asynchronous (voice, video, and text) communication tools and reliance on action research and constructivist methodologies. The PDLEs will provide pre-service and in-service professionals opportunities to learn about theoretical and practical aspects of other exemplary professionals’ practices, as well as affording opportunities to try out their learnings for themselves.

 

Adult Learning - 2006 Competition

Project Title: Economic Adjustment of Adult Immigrants: Role of Educational Institutions and Employers
Project Lead: Anisef, Paul
Institution: York University
Amount funded by CCL: $70,000
Report: Economic Adjustment of Adult Immigrants: Role of Educational Institutions and Employers 

Project Title: Foreign Students in Ontario
Project Lead: Duchesne, Claire
Institution: University of Ottawa
Amount funded by CCL: $32,130
Report: Study of foreign students’ conceptions of educational practices in the context of a primary/junior teacher education program in Francophone Ontario

Project Title: How Well are eLearning Needs of Canadians with Disabilities Met on Canadian Campuses?
Project Lead: Fichten, Catherine
Institution: Dawson College
Amount funded by CCL: $70,000
Report: Development and Validation of the POSITIVES Scale (Postsecondary Information Technology Initiative Scale)

Project Title: Active Citizenship for Women in Nova Scotia
Summary: Active and inclusive citizenship for women:Democratic considerations for fostering lifelong education (PDF 70 KB)
Report: Active and inclusive citizenship for women:Democratic considerations for fostering lifelong education (PDF 215 KB)
Project Lead: Gouthro, Patricia
Institution: Mount St. Vincent University
Amount funded by CCL: $45,652

Project Title: Reference frames for skills: ICT and Co-operative Work
Project Lead: IsaBelle, Claire
Institution: University of Ottawa
Amount funded by CCL: $87,453

Report: Reference frames for skills: ICT and Co-operative Work

Project Title: Facilitating the Acquisition of Proficiency in English Among Adult Immigrant Women
Project Lead: Kilbride, Kenise M.
Institution: Ryerson University
Amount funded by CCL: $70,000
Report: Reclaiming Voice: Challenges and Opportunities for Immigrant Women Learning English

Project Title: Mature Students in the Persistence Puzzle
Project Lead: MacFadgen, Lynne
Institution: Malaspina University-College
Amount funded by CCL: $75,958
Report: Mature Students in the Persistence Puzzle: An Exploration of the Factors that Contribute to Mature Students’ Health, Learning, and Retention in Post-Secondary Education (PDF 1040 KB)  
Summary: Mature Students in the Persistence Puzzle: An Exploration of the Factors that Contribute to Mature Students’ Health, Learning, and Retention in Post-Secondary Education (PDF 327 KB)

Project Title: Adult Educator Program Outcomes: Guidelines for Practice
Project Lead: McCaughan, Kareen
Institution: Brock University
Amount funded by CCL: $70,807
Report: Adult Educator Program Outcomes: Guidelines for Practice

Project Title: English Second Language Learning Objects for Mobile Devices
Project Lead: McGreal, Rory
Institution: Athabasca University
Amount funded by CCL: $63,500
Report: English Second Language Learning Objects for Mobile Devices
Project Title: Models of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Project Lead: Mosoff, Judith
Institution: University of British Columbia
Amount funded by CCL: $70,000
Report: Models of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education for Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Project Title: As Seen Through Their Eyes: The Learning Needs of Canadian Elders
Project Lead: Spadafora, Pat
Institution: Sheridan College
Amount funded by CCL: $70,000
Report: As Seen Through Their Eyes: The Learning Needs of Ontario Elders
Project Title: Quality Assurance in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
Project Lead: Van Kleef, Joy
Institution: Cdn. Institute for Recognizing Learning
Amount funded by CCL: $74,900
Final Report: Quality Assurance in PLAR: Issues and Strategies for Post-secondary Institutions (PDF, 14 MB)
Executive Summary: This page includes links to the full report, its bibliography and a guide developed for institutions.
Project Title: Collaboration entre familles dont un membre a des incapacités : étude d’un système de transfert des savoirs et des apprentissages
Project Lead: Kalubi, Jean-Claude
Institution: Université de Sherbrooke
Amount funded by CCL: $ 70,000
Report: Collaboration entre familles dont un membre a des incapacités : étude d’un système de transfert des savoirs et des apprentissages

Project Title: Adult Leaning in Aboriginal Community-Based Inner-City Organizations
Project Lead: Brown, Jason
Institution: University of Manitoba
Amount funded by CCL: $ 20,470
Report: Adult Learning in Aboriginal Community-based Inner-city Organizations

Project Title: Radical Humanities: A Pathway toward Transformational Learning for Marginalized Non-Traditional Adult Learners
Project Lead: Groen, Janet
Institution: University of Calgary
Report: Radical Humanities: A Pathway toward Transformational Learning for Marginalized Non-Traditional Adult Learners

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