2016 Annual Conference

This session will review the phenomenon of selected study circles on six continents. Historically, study circles have been around for hundreds of years--from Japan to Sweden, from the US to Saudi Arabia. The session will also provide resources on how to start and run study group and future research recommendations.

Individuals and institutional representatives interested in historical aspects of study circles/clubs or those individuals who would like resources on how to start and run study group.

This session intends to expose the audience to study circles which can be considered nonformal learning efforts in a variety of selected countries worldwide. Nonformal education efforts have typically not been extensively discussed at AAACE conferences. This session will review the history of some selected group activities in such diverse cultures as Japan, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Peru, South Africa, and the U.S. History of the selected study groups are important to the field of adult education since they are a major continuing contribution to adult learning efforts. Because of societal demands and new technology, adults may want to learn different information without going to formal classes or without being totally self-directed. These individuals may choose to participate in study circles/clubs. Not only is the concept of these study circles/clubs important to the field of adult education, but also some of the resources that will be presented during the session may provide guidelines for individuals wanting to create their own study groups. Resources on how to start and run study circles will be provided. In addition, future research recommendations will be presented.