Unravelling the Lifelong Learning Process for Canadian Workers and Adult Learners Acquiring Higher Skills

• Published in: Journal of research and practice for adult literacy, secondary, and basic education Vol. 2; no. 2; pp. 101 - 113
• Main Authors: Taylor, Maurice, Trumpower, David, Pavic, Ivana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Commission on Adult Basic Education 2013
• Subjects: Adult Basic Education; Adult Literacy; Andragogy; Canada; Educational Benefits; Educational Practices; Foreign Countries; High School Equivalency Programs; Informal Education; Labor Education; Learning Motivation; Learning Readiness; Manitoba; Mixed Methods Research; Nova Scotia; Ontario; Self Directed Learning Readiness Scale; Semi Structured Interviews; Skill Development; Social Capital; Workplace Learning; Canada
• ISSN: 2169-0480

This article reports on a mixed methods study that investigated aspects of formal, non-formal and informal learning for workers and adult high school learners seeking literacy and essential skills. Three key themes emerged from the qualitative data: motivations for participation in various forms of learning; seeking out informal learning activities and pedagogical practices in the teaching; and learning interactions of workers and adult learners. Findings from the quantitative analysis also seemed to indicate that workers and adult learners acquiring literacy and essential skills tend to possess both the resources and readiness to continue their lifelong learning in the less formal settings.