Study circles 2013-2016

Study circles are small groups made with the intention of learning. They have been in existence since 1993. Systematical monitoring was designed with the intention to create yearly reports, which have transitioned to research based analysis. The intention behind monitoring and researching study circles is researching informal learning in small groups which which takes place all over Slovenia throughout the year. It is being financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport under certain conditions (qualifications of the mentor, accounting of SC principals and tender criteria). The research is being undertaken within regular tasks of the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education (ACS). The results of the research are being used toward improving education for adults (ex. responding to needs), to answer specific scientific dilemmas (ex. responsiveness of specific segments of society, specifics of group learning), to observe the time dynamics of development (ex. Financial investments of municipalities into adult education) and to compare results with foreign research. The research includes joined datasets of researhes conducted in the school years 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15 in 2015/16.