Defining Foundational Learning

Last week Audrey Garnder and I attended the Annual General Meeting for Calgary Learns, a local non-profit organization that describes itself as a "learning organization rooted in action with a desire to innovate". That description comes from Inspiring Learning: Annual Report 2008 (p. 5).

That same report offers a definition for foundational learning that we like a lot and wanted to share. It "refers to the basic skills adults require to fully participate in life: the ability to participate as neighbours and citizens, have satisfying employment, and prepare to pursue further learning" (p. 7).

We like this definition because it goes beyond literacy and it goes beyond employment skills. It addresses the adult as a complete human being with a need and desire to live fully. We are interested to know how others understand Foundational Learning, too. What do you think?