Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Education Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Adult and Continuing Education

Adult learning

Portland State University

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 11 of 11

Full-Text Articles in Education

Final Report: The Ecosystem Of 21st Century Employer Supported Education And Training Initiatives, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs Sep 2022

Final Report: The Ecosystem Of 21st Century Employer Supported Education And Training Initiatives, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

The 21st Century Learning Ecosystem Opportunities (21 CLEO) research was launched to increase understanding of the complexities of learning ecosystems in employer-supported education and training initiatives. This work envisions workplace learning as ecosystems shaped by a constellation of factors that operate in dependent and independent ways.


21st Century Learning Ecosystem Opportunities: Research And Findings, Jill Castek, Kathy Harris, Gloria Jacobs, Jen Vanek, Sep 2022

21st Century Learning Ecosystem Opportunities: Research And Findings, Jill Castek, Kathy Harris, Gloria Jacobs, Jen Vanek,

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

The 21st Century Learning Ecosystem Opportunities (21 CLEO) research was launched to increase understanding of the complexities of learning ecosystems. This report is a summary that aims to share insights about working learners employed in frontline service work, the types of education and training initiatives offered to them, and the outcomes from participating in such employer supported education and training initiatives. The findings shared here are drawn from the collection of presentations, blog posts, and other publications through which we have shared our insights along the way (cited throughout), as well as new material developed as part of our final …


Ecosystem Of Workplace Education And Training: Where Do Learners Fit?, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek, Jill Castek, Gloria E. Jacobs Apr 2022

Ecosystem Of Workplace Education And Training: Where Do Learners Fit?, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek, Jill Castek, Gloria E. Jacobs

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

Presentation Agenda

● Background on study design and theoretical approaches

● What’s a learning ecosystem?

● Who are the learners?

● Insights gleaned from critical analysis of learner interview data & discussion with key stakeholders (employers, WFD practitioners, educators)

● What’s next in our research


Innovative Learning Group, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs Feb 2022

Innovative Learning Group, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

No abstract provided.


21st Century Learning Ecosystem Opportunities Convening, 21cleo Research Team Sep 2021

21st Century Learning Ecosystem Opportunities Convening, 21cleo Research Team

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

No abstract provided.


Critical Race Theory: Convening 2, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs Aug 2021

Critical Race Theory: Convening 2, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

We seek to identify the factors that incentivize frontline service workers to engage in workplace-sponsored learning activities that support development of 21st century skills, including specific workplace skills, digital literacy, English language and literacy, problem solving, and adult basic skills. Central to this study is elevating the voice of the working learner.


Understanding Learners Through Personna: Convening 1, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs Jun 2021

Understanding Learners Through Personna: Convening 1, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

We seek to identify the factors that incentivize frontline service workers to engage in workplace-sponsored learning activities that support development of 21st century skills, including specific workplace skills, digital literacy, English language and literacy, problem solving, and adult basic skills. Central to this study is elevating the voice of the working learner.


Using Critical Race Theory As A Lens To Understand Employer-Supported Education, Jill Castek, Kathy Harris, Gloria E. Jacobs, Jen Vanek Jan 2021

Using Critical Race Theory As A Lens To Understand Employer-Supported Education, Jill Castek, Kathy Harris, Gloria E. Jacobs, Jen Vanek

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

This work is part of a larger project focused on understanding a changing and dynamic learning ecosystem

● frontline service workers participate in workforce or employer supported learning opportunities.

● includes data from 45 interviews with worker learners and individuals who provide support to them, such as teachers, managers, and career navigators.

● Interviewees come from all parts of the United States and work in retail, healthcare, hospitality, transportation, and other industries.


21st Century Learning Ecosystem Opportunities Member Spotlight, 21cleo Research Team Jan 2021

21st Century Learning Ecosystem Opportunities Member Spotlight, 21cleo Research Team

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

Background & Our Study

Understanding a changing and dynamic learning ecosystem

● 45 interviews with worker learners and individuals who provide support to them

● Focus on the voices and experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)

● Multiple Advisory Group Convenings of diverse group of stakeholders: working learners, educators, researchers, employers, workforce development practitioners

● Ongoing dissemination of our work in over 20 blog posts reporting on our research as its unfolded


What Factos Shape 21st Century Workplace Learning?, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs Jan 2020

What Factos Shape 21st Century Workplace Learning?, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek,, Jill Castek, Gloria Jacobs

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

Adult learners take part in many different kinds of learning (in the workplace and beyond) Find out....what opportunities learners are offered and are taking part in. Encourage and Support….sustained participation and connections between and across settings.


Digital Literacies In The Workplace: Exploring Employer Provided Education Opportunities And Learner Motivations, Jill Castek, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek, Gloria E. Jacobs Sep 2019

Digital Literacies In The Workplace: Exploring Employer Provided Education Opportunities And Learner Motivations, Jill Castek, Kathy Harris, Jen Vanek, Gloria E. Jacobs

21CLEO Presentations and Publications

We have identified factors that encourage working learners to engage in education of workplace skills and literacies. The study examines the motivations and constraints of working learners as they acquire digital problem solving necessary to succeed in the workplace. In this session, you will learn about this study designed to amplify the voices of working-learners. Together we will examine factors in the 21st century learning ecosystem.