Adult Education and Learning for Community Development

Community development is a significant learning site for people working for social change. Coady International Institute grew from the Antigonish Movement; a cooperative movement premised on the principles that social progress comes through adult education and collective action. Facilitation, training, awareness-raising, popular education, study circles, and community dialogues are some examples of learning for community development.

This course is a global space for sharing and learning about the practices and theories of adult education and learning for community development. Over eight weeks, you will have opportunities to reflect on your role and practice as an educator, explore theories and practices of adult learning, consider gender, power and learning for social change, and develop skills for designing adult education, including online learning.

Benefits and Learning Objectives 

During this course, you will: 

• Examine adult education and learning concepts and theories, such as andragogy, critical, Indigenous, Afrocentric, feminist, and transformative.
• Explore examples of adult education for community development, including online learning.
• Analyze how gender and power inform education and learning.
• Reflect on your role and practice as an adult educator.
• Connect with adult and popular educators from around the world.

Time Requirement 

As a course participant, you are expected to spend 6-8 hours per week for eight weeks in asynchronous and synchronous learning activities and additional independent work and assignments. All instructional materials will be in English. 

Technology Requirement 

• Reliable internet access (high speed is recommended) 
• Computer or laptop
• Speakers and microphone 

Who Should Apply? 

This course is ideal for people interested in adult education and learning for social change and community development. Some experience with adult or popular education, facilitation, and community development is an asset.

Fees

The tuition fee for this course is $850. Coady Institute strives to ensure change leaders working in communities around the world have access to its courses. This is made possible through the provision of bursaries that are funded by many individual and institutional donors. Partial bursaries of up to $475 are available for qualifying candidates. Through Coady’s Circle of Abundance, a limited number of full bursaries are available to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit participants residing in Canada. Those receiving a bursary will be responsible for paying the balance of their tuition before the designated deadline.

Full bursaries are available from the Centre for Employment Innovation (CEI) for eligible applicants from Nova Scotia. This includes applicants working for a program or agency engaged in employment services delivery, or engaged in social innovation activities to alleviate poverty, strengthen livelihoods, and create more equitable employment and entrepreneurial opportunities with and for systemically oppressed groups. For more information, visit the CEI Bursary Program page.