Research – Skills for Success Practitioner Tools & Resources

Aggregate Data

Assessment, Needs Analysis, ResearchASS-4.2

Aggregate data refers to information that is collected from multiple sources or assessments and compiled into summary reports for the purpose of evaluating program effectiveness and improving participant performance.

The Glossary of Education Reform. Aggregate Data. https://www.edglossary.org/aggregate-data/
Indeed. What is Aggregate Data? https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/aggregate-data

Business Measures

Communication, ResearchDES-2.1

Business measures or metrics are quantifiable measures that businesses use to track, monitor and assess an organization’s long and short term progress.

ABC Life Literacy Canada. How Essential Skills Training Unlocks Business Value. https://abclifeliteracy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/advancing-workplace-learning.pdf
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. Business Results Through Essential Skills and Literacy. http://www.en.copian.ca/library/research/cme/business/business.pdf
Business Development Bank of Canada. Key performance indicators (KPIs). https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/operations/operational-efficiency/kpis-key-performance-indicators

Constructivist Learning Theory

Adult Learning Theory, ResearchSFS-2.9

Constructivist Learning Theory is based on the idea that participants build on their existing foundation to learn new information. The participants create their own meaning and knowledge based on their experiences.

University at Buffalo. Constructivism. https://www.buffalo.edu/catt/develop/theory/constructivism.html#:~:text=constructivist%20classroom%20activities-,What%20is%20constructivism%3F,%2Dexisting%20knowledge%20(schemas)
Afify, M. (2018). E-learning content design standards based on interactive digital concepts maps in light of meaningful learning theory and constructivist learning theory. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 8(1), 5-16. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.267

Emerging Technologies

Digital, ResearchSFS-3.9

Emerging Technologies are any new technological tools used to create innovative and engaging teaching methods and learning experiences. Some examples are Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.

The power of VR for adult learning. https://www.itcilo.org/stories/power-vr-adult-learning

Flexible Delivery Strategies

Adult Learning Theory, ResearchDEL-1.3

Flexible Delivery Strategies are various teaching strategies designed to allow for flexibility of time, place, audience and technology in an educational setting.

Alex, J. L., Miller, E. A., Platt, R. E., Rachal, J. R., & Gammill, D. M. (2007). Making the Invisible Visible: A Model for Delivery Systems in Adult Education. Journal Of Adult Education, 36(2), 13-22.
Cornelius, S., Gordon, C., & Ackland, A. (2011). Towards flexible learning for adult learners in professional contexts: an activity-focused course design. Interactive Learning Environments, 19(4), 381-393. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820903298258 (login required)
LeNoue, M., Hall, T., & Eighmy, M. A. (2011). Adult Education and the Social Media Revolution. Adult Learning, 22(2), 4-12. https://doi.org/10.1177/104515951102200201 (login required)

Literacy Surveys

Research, Skills for Success Framework

Literacy surveys are assessments designed to identify and measure a range of adult literacy skills in order to compare literacy across demographic groups.

Statistics Canada Backgrounder on the The International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS, 1994): https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/89f0094x/4198666-eng.pdf?st=OudF4HTH
Canadian Results of the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS, 2003): https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/89-617-x/89-617-x2005001-eng.pdf?st=jG_2uaVC
Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC, 2011-): http://www.piaac.ca/

Personality

Adaptability, Research, Social-Emotional LearningSFS-1.1, SFS-2.8, SFS-3.5, SFS-3.7

Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving.

Personality trait change happens continuously into adulthood and can affect how participants learn as they grow older.

Bleidorn, W., Hill, P. L., Back, M. D., Denissen, J. J. A., Hennecke, M., Hopwood, C. J., Jokela, M., Kandler, C., Lucas, R. E., Luhmann, M., Orth, U., Wagner, J., Wrzus, C., Zimmermann, J., & Roberts, B. (2019). The policy relevance of personality traits. American Psychologist, 74(9), 1056-1067. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000503 (login required).
Roberts, B. W., Luo, J., Briley, D. A., Chow, P. I., Su, R., & Hill, P. L. (2017). A systematic review of personality trait change through intervention. Psychological Bulletin, 143(2), 117-141. https://www.greenhousetherapycenter.com/storage/app/media/file/Psychotherapy_change_meta-analysis_2017.pdf
Sackett, P. R., & Walmsley, P. T. (2014). Which Personality Attributes Are Most Important in the Workplace? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 9(5), 538-551. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614543972 (login required).

Psychological Interventions

Research, Social-Emotional LearningSFS-2.8, SFS-3.7

Psychological interventions are actions used to bring about change in a participants. These could include exercises that that focus on mindfulness, perspectives and emotional state or feelings rather than academic teaching.

Mental Health Education In Canada. https://phecanada.ca/. (2022, June 2). https://phecanada.ca/

Relationship between Skills for Success and social and economic outcomes

Research, Skills for Success Framework, Social-Economic TheorySFS-1.4

The relationship between Skills for Success and social and economic outcomes is that higher levels of skills leads to increases in GDP, productivity, health outcomes and more.

OECD and HRSDC (1997). Literacy skills for the knowledge society: Further results of the International adult literacy survey https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED465012 (login required).
McCracken, M and Murray, T.S (2007) The economic Benefits of Literacy, CLLRN, Ottawa
Murray, TS, Shillington, R and Glickman, V. (2009). Literacy, health literacy and health: Understanding the links, PHAC, Ottawa
Lange, J and Murray, T.S. (2018). Literacy Lost: Canada’s Basic Skills Shortfall: http://www.dataangel.ca/docs/CWF_LiteracyLost_December2018.pdf

Research Methods

Adult Learning Theory, ResearchDES-1.2, DES-1.3, SFS-3.6

Research methods refer to the way of collecting and analyzing data as well as the tools that are used when researching. These can be either qualitative (experiences, emotions, behaviours) or quantitative (numerical data, measurements, statistical analysis).

Federighi, Paolo. (2019). Research Methodology in Adult Learning and Education. Journal of Educational Sciences. 39. 58-73. 10.35923/JES.2019.1.05.