Adult Education
British Columbia is unique in offering a full range of programs designed to support people to work in adult education. This site provides information on a number of specific programs and relevant resources.
Adult education has been defined by Eduard Lindeman (1926) as a lifelong activity, with a focus on the experiences of the learners, concerned with situations not subjects in teaching, and non-vocational in nature. Practitioners in the field of adult education include those working in community education, workplace learning, literacy, career services, continuing professional development, diversity and inclusivity, and many others.
Information on adult education programs can be found by searching in the following categories: adult education, continuing education, higher education, health education, adult literacy, settlement literacy, ESL, etc. While the programs may differ in location, duration, methodology, focus, and credentialing, they all offer quality education and diverse and innovative approaches to supporting adult learning. They will enhance your knowledge, skills and understanding of adult education and engage you in the art and science of helping adults learn.
The following programs are currently available at BC institutions. For additional details on program content and information sessions, please contact the institutions directly.
University of British Columbia
OpenUniversity of British Columbia – Vancouver Programs
Graduate Certificate in Adult Learning and Education
The Graduate Certificate in Adult Learning and Education is designed to meet the continuing professional development needs of those involved in the broad field of adult learning and education who want to undertake graduate study but do not want or are unable to complete a full 30 credit master degree. Students must complete 12 credits including the three MEd core courses plus one elective. It would be of interest to those responsible for providing adult learning opportunities in their workplace, union, professional organization, community, advocacy group, non-profit society or business. In the required courses, students will learn about the history and philosophy of adult education, key Canadian initiatives and ongoing trends and challenges, theories of adult learning and various approaches to designing programs for adults. For those who decide to continue into the Master program then they can apply and transfer their completed Certificate courses.
Contact:
Graduate Program Assistant Email: grad.edst@ubc.ca
Department of Educational Studies Web: edst.educ.ubc.ca/ale-cert/
University of British Columbia
6445 University Boulevard
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Graduate Certificate in Adult Learning and Education
University of Victoria
OpenUniversity of Victoria
Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education (CACE)
CACE is an exciting professional development program for those responsible for helping adults learn.
Applicants must have completed Grade 12 and have three years of experience related to adult education. Appropriate and equivalent experience and education will also be considered.
The program may be taken entirely online, or on site by summer immersion courses and weekend workshops. CACE requires the completion of eight courses (four core; 4.0 credits of elective coursework).
Contact:
Continuing Studies in Education Phone: 250-721-8944
University of Victoria, PO Box 1700 Fax: 250-721-8774
STN CSC Victoria, BC Canada V8W 3N4 Email: cace@uvic.ca
Web: CACE Website
Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education (CACE)
ISW International Advisory Committee
OpenISW International Advisory Committee
Instructional Skills Workshop
The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is designed to encourage reflective practice, and to assist participants in developing their teaching skills and providing effective feedback to learners. The underlying principles of the workshop include participatory learning, guided practice, diversity of learning, adult learning, and the building of community that can be utilized in classrooms and institutions. A handbook of resources is provided to augment the workshop.
Participants successfully completing the entire 3- or 4-day program (24 hours) receive a certificate of completion, recognized by many Canadian and international institutions. Participants also benefit from joining a network of colleagues who are committed to self-discovery and continual improvement of teaching and learning.
Facilitator Development Workshop
The Facilitator Development Workshop (FDW) focuses on preparing participants to facilitate or lead the ISW. The FDW trains facilitators over 40 hours, generally a 5 day period, embedding the 24 hour ISW so that participants can practice their facilitation skills within this model.
Many FDW participants find facilitating to be the most challenging and rewarding work they have done in a “workshop.” Successful completion of the workshop requires a willingness to lead by example – modeling the behaviours and attitudes that will allow their (future) ISW participants the space to develop their teaching and learning expertise.
Contact:
ISW International Advisory Committee
Email: iswnetwork.ca/contact
Web: iswnetwork.ca
Instructional Skills Workshop
Facilitator Development Workshop
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
OpenNicola Valley Institute of Technology
Native Adult Instructor Diploma (NAID) Program
The Native Adult Instructor Diploma (NAID) program objective is to educate and train First Nation people. The NAID curriculum is designed for use by adult educators who work or plan to work with Native adult learners. Instructional needs unique to First Nation peoples are recognized and reflected within the context of historical, social and cultural patterns, while NAID instructional activities are built on the strengths of learners and instructor. Working together, building together, participants embark mutually on an educational journey to explore the world, identify real problems, and develop and implement real solutions. NAID is a model of learning designed to provide considerable opportunity for dialogue, collaborative learning, and ownership of the learning process by learners and instructor.
Contact:
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Phone: 1-877-682-3300 toll free
Email: cvaughan@nvit.bc.ca
Web: https://www.nvit.ca/Native-Adult-Instructors-Diploma/program.aspx
Native Adult Instructor Diploma (NAID) Program