Voices of the Undereducated in Adult Education and Training in Ontario: A Phenomenographic Approach

This doctoral study was an exploration of the qualitatively different ways in which undereducated adults (at or below a high school level of formal education) reported their experiences of participation in adult education and training (AET) programmes offered by publicly funded school boards or their arms-length affiliate in the province of Ontario. In light of a low participation rate in the Canadian AET system by undereducated adults, the rationale was to examine whether or not AET programmes are meeting the needs of undereducated adults beyond a narrow focus on an instrumental approach associated with human capital development. This study was located in a theoretical framework consisting of (a) learning theory, (b) motivations for participation, (c) general barriers to participation, (d) structural barriers to participation, and (e) transformative learning. The purposive sample consisted of 11 participants between the ages of 18-58 who were drawn from service providers in 4 geographic regions of Ontario. Data collection consisted of (a) demographics, (b) voice recordings from face-to-face participant interviews, (c) participant weekly critical incident reports, and (d) researcher reflexive journal notes. Data were analyzed in accordance with a phenomenographic approach within a constructivist/interpretivist research paradigm. Findings revealed 4 qualitatively different ways in which undereducated adult learners reported their experiences of participation in AET and were reported as the voice of (a) security, (b) engagement, (c) relationship, and (d) competency. Implications to theory and practice and to further inquiry were outlined.

Acts of incorporation and amendments of the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge Co'y and the Niagara Falls International Bridge Co'y, also articles of association, leases, agreements, etc. (1900)

Contains "Acts of Parliament of Province of Canada and Acts of Parliament of Dominion of Canada."

Receipt from the City of St. Catharines to Robert Stanley, occupant and Mary Shickluna, owner of Lots 44 and 45 on Ontario Street

Receipt from the City of St. Catharines to Robert Stanley, occupant and Mary Shickluna, owner of Lots 44 and 45 on Ontario Street for taxes, Aug. 8, 1887.

Indenture of bargain and sale (vellum) between David William Smith of Alnwick, Great Britain and William Dickson of Niagara

Indenture of bargain and sale (vellum) between David William Smith of Alnwick, Great Britain and William Dickson of Niagara for 90 acres in the Township of Niagara –instrument no. 5926. Attached to this is a notice of Power of Attorney dated Apr. 6, 1810, which states that David William Smith of Alnwick, Great Britain allows James Crooks of Niagara to be his lawful attorney. The power of attorney is slightly torn. This does not affect the text, Sept. 21, 1810.

Indenture (vellum) of bargain and sale between the Honourable William Dickson of Galt and Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture (vellum) of bargain and sale between the Honourable William Dickson of Galt and Robert Dickson of Niagara for 31 acres in the Township of Niagara – instrument no. 966. This was recorded on Aug. 26, 1842 in Book B, folio 532-533 in the County of Lincoln Register, Nov. 8, 1830.

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara for 1,275 acres contained in the 3rd and 4th Concessions in Dumphries, Feb. 12, 1840.

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara for 1,275 acres contained in the 5th and 6th Concessions in Dumphries, Feb. 12, 1840.

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara for 1,897 acres contained in the 7th part of the 9th, and the whole of the 8th Concession in Dumphries. This was recorded on Jan. 22, 1848 in Lib. A, folio 165 for Dumphries, Feb. 12, 1840.

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara for 789 acres in the Township of Dumphries, Feb. 12, 1840

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara for 1,627 acres in the 9th part of the 11th and 10th Concessions in the Township of Dumphries, Feb. 12, 1840.

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara for 2,336 acres in the Township of Dumphries. This was recorded on Jan. 22, 1848 in Lib. A, folio 167 for Dumphries, Feb. 12, 1840.

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara

Indenture between the Honourable William Dickson of Niagara and Robert Dickson of Niagara for 332 acres, more or less in the Township of Dumphries. This was recorded on Jan. 22, 1848 in Folio 171, memorial 136 for Dumphries, March 25, 1840.