The Learner Variability Navigator is a free online tool. It translates learning research into learner factors and teaching strategies. An Adult Learner Model which brings together research on the factors that underlie adult literacy and lifelong learning is included.

The Learner Variability Navigator is not a curriculum. It is designed to be used as a supplement or support to programs and edtech companies. A key goal is to tailor instruction to meet individual needs.

The Adult Learner Model is built on a whole learner framework. It recognizes that adult learners bring individual goals, skills, strengths and backgrounds to their learning. It highlights three key themes about adult learning:

• Adults need a variety of 21^st-century foundational skills to survive and thrive.
• Adults must see the benefits of learning tasks to fully engage.
• Engaging in lifelong learning activities is interconnected with general well-being.

It then examines the factors that research has identified as critical to learning success for adults. The list is extensive and the factors are grouped into four categories – adult literacies, cognition, social-emotional and learner background. The interconnections between the factors are displayed.

Each factor is explored in detail, with links to relevant teaching strategies. And each teaching strategy links to more resources.

The following video shows how to use the Learner Variability Navigator. Although the sample is for younger students, the adult learner model operates in the same way.

Welcome to the Learner Variability Navigator from Digital Promise Global on Vimeo.

For more information about the Adult Learner Model, read The Science of Adult Learning: Understanding the Whole Learner.