Canadian Council on Learning | Conseil Canadien sur l'Apprentissage

Research Themes

The Adult Learning Knowledge Centre has identified three key research priorities:

• Community-Based Learning: Much adult learning takes place outside formal and traditional learning sites and is informed by the experiences and needs of specific communities of interest that are based on geographic, cultural, demographic or other identities. The centre has identified a need for research on community-based learning, including issues such as prior learning assessment and recognition, literacy, volunteerism, and ESL.
• Diversity: Canada’s population is increasingly diverse, with an ever-wider range of learning needs. The centre has identified a need for research on diversity, including issues such as immigration, gender differences related to learning, the learning needs of seniors and rural issues.
• Barriers and Motivators: There are many well-known financial barriers to adult learning, ranging from direct monetary cost to the lack of an infrastructure. There are also many non-financial barriers, which are not as well understood. The centre has identified a need for research on barriers and motivators, including issues such as accessibility, the role of self-esteem, best practices, motivating factors in adults seeking learning opportunities, and the role of mentors.