The OLC's Online Public Awareness Action Guide

Mobilizing People

Adult Learner Focus groups

The OLC has used focus groups with adult learners and other members of the public to prepare for previous public awareness campaigns. Focus groups are facilitated discussion groups formed for the purpose of gaining insight into how people think and feel about something. Through this process we learned that we need to focus on the adult learners who are not coming to the programs available to assist them.

The focus groups were also a good way to introduce the campaign to adult learners and others in the community, and increase their level of interest and participation in the campaign. You may want to conduct your own focus groups to hear what the adult learners and others have to say in your community, and to identify potential participants in the campaign.

Findings from focus groups of adult learners

Tools:

• Sample Focus Group Process for Adult Learners
• Collecting Data about Focus Group Members