Explores how adult learning occurs in naturally forming communities. As illustrated by the chapters in this volume, this learning takes a variety of forms, and occurs in a variety of locations. It is characterized by individuals coming together to exercise control and influence over the direction, content, and purposes of their learning and emphasizes the community or social as opposed to the individual level of learning. Although many learning communities are homogeneous in nature, several chapters reveal how power and politics play a role as well as how the presence of a facilitator can change the dynamic.

This is the 95th volume of the quarterly journal New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education.