How Might Innovation in Your Classroom or Program Lead to More Positive Outcomes for the Learners you Serve?

The goal of Advancing Innovation in Adult Education is to inspire and promote innovation in adult education that results in high quality services and positive outcomes for adult learners.

The question many in adult education have pondered is-What does innovation really mean? How do I know if what I am doing is innovative?

Is there something you were doing and made a few changes that made a big impact? Do you have innovative ideas, but can't seem to find the resources needed to make it happen?

One example of innovation that was shared in our recent live event was how student surveys were collected and used to discover that the titles given to some courses were confusing and adult learners were looking for more opportunities to gain stacking credentials. The program used the feedback from their adult learners to "innovate" and "re-imagine" their courses and course names. This also led to bringing in some new learners to the program as well. 

We would enjoy hearing other examples or ideas programs might be considering to innovate adult education.

Chrissie Klinger (About Me)

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During Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFL) Week, the Advancing Innovation in Adult Education Project released information about new innovators. Nine practices have been selected nationally for approaches modeling effective integrated education and training (IET) programs, transitioning adult learners from adult basic education to postsecondary education or training, and increasing access to adult education services. 

Holistic Adult Education Programs:

  • Alternative Sentencing Program, Crawford County Adult Education, Van Buren, AR
  • Breaking Barriers, Jefferson Community and Technical College—Kentucky Skills U, Carrollton, KY
  • Career4U Academy, Houston Community College Adult Education & Literacy Programs, Houston, TX
  • Career Training, Wayne Township Adult Education, Indianapolis, IN
  • High School Equivalency Honors Boot Camp, College and Career Readiness Program, Nash Community College, Rocky Mount, NC
  •  Integrated Education and Training (IET) Culinary Arts Program, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Ludlow, MA
  • Ohio Deaf Literacy Partnership, Delaware Area Career Center Aspire Program, Delaware, OH
  • STEPS for Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship, Calhoun Community College Adult Education, Tanner, AL
  • Transition to College/Postsecondary Training, Catholic Charities - El Centro, Boston, MA

Chrissie