Teaching and Learning Research In Action

What Teaching and Learning Research In Action does

Teaching and Learning Research In Action (TLR In Action) is an incorporated not-for-profit corporation headquartered at the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto, Ontario. Its stated mission is to investigate and publicize effective teaching and learning practices, with particular emphasis on making academic research findings accessible to non-academic audiences. The organization serves two primary constituents: educators and instructors seeking evidence-based instructional practices, and learners across levels seeking research-validated study strategies; a secondary focus area addresses the needs of first-generation post-secondary students.

The organization's product portfolio consists of five freely distributed content formats — Videos, Action Cards, Infographics, Fast Track Tutorials, and Posters & Placards — organized across four thematic areas (Teaching Strategies, Study Skills, Supporting Learners, and Digital Pedagogy). Content covers cognitive learning principles such as retrieval practice, spacing effect, and the testing effect, along with applied topics including COVID-19 emergency remote learning, accessible media production, and first-generation student support. The Managing Director, Alice Kim, PhD, leads research grounded in experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience; she also serves as co-editor of the Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, embedding TLR within the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) academic community.

The business model is non-commercial: all resources are provided at no cost, and revenue is not publicly disclosed but is plausibly funded through research grants, donations, and academic partnerships rather than user fees or subscriptions. Distribution is entirely digital and horizontal across channels including a website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok, Instagram, and an email newsletter, with global reach via free downloads. The organization has formal collaborations with Humber College on the "Making Accessible Media" research initiative (with peer-reviewed outputs) and operates from a shared innovation workspace. There is no disclosed headcount, no funding history, and no commercial revenue line; the organization is mission-driven rather than growth-driven.

Name

Teaching and Learning Research In Action

Legal name

Teaching and Learning Research In Action

Website

https://tlraction.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TLR In Action is a Toronto-based not-for-profit corporation that investigates effective teaching and learning practices and disseminates free, evidence-based educational resources — videos, infographics, action cards, tutorials, and posters — to educators and learners globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Research and Pedagogy Resources

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

akta.pro primary industry

Study Skills & Academic Success Guides (Students) (EDAGAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microlearning & Short-Form Lesson Platforms (MPACALAE), Career & Technical Education (CTE) & Trade Skills Media (EDAGALAG)

Keywords

• Evidence-based teaching
• Pedagogical research
• Study skills resources
• Digital pedagogy
• Higher education research

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond Hill

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Not publicly disclosed: TLR In Action is an incorporated not-for-profit corporation. Their revenue model is not explicitly disclosed in available source materials. As a not-for-profit focused on investigating and publicizing effective teaching and learning practices, they likely operate through grants, donations, and institutional partnerships rather than commercial revenue streams.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TLR In Action is a not-for-profit corporation that investigates and publicizes effective teaching and learning practices. It produces and distributes free, evidence-based educational resources — including videos, infographics, action cards, posters, and fast-track tutorials — organized into four thematic areas: Teaching Strategies, Study Skills, Supporting Learners, and Digital Pedagogy. Resources are made available to educators and learners worldwide through the organization's website, YouTube channel, and social media platforms.

Product overview

Teaching and Learning Research In Action (TLR In Action) is a not-for-profit organization that produces and disseminates evidence-based educational resources. Their portfolio consists of five distinct resource types: Videos (research presentations and educational content series), Action Cards (practical guidance for teaching and learning), Infographics (visual explanations of cognitive learning principles), Fast Track Tutorials (concise educational guides on pedagogy topics), and Posters & Placards (downloadable visual resources on student support topics). The resources are organized into four thematic areas: Teaching Strategies, Study Skills, Supporting Learners, and Digital Pedagogy. The organization focuses on making educational research accessible through non-traditional dissemination formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Videos Educational video content covering digital pedagogy, teaching practices, and learning research, including series on making media accessible and COVID-19 pandemic teaching experiences. Distributed via the TLR In Action website and YouTube channel for educators, students, and researchers.
• Action Cards Actionable educational cards providing research-based insights and practical guidance for educators and students on topics such as homework feedback and class participation. Free downloadable resource from the TLR In Action website.
• Infographics Visual infographic resources explaining evidence-based learning concepts such as the spacing effect and testing effect for effective studying. Free downloadable resources for educators and learners.
• Fast Track Tutorials Concise tutorials on educational topics including alignment, learning outcomes, and formative and summative assessment methods. Free downloadable resources for educators.
• Posters & Placards Downloadable poster resources addressing first-generation student experiences, including topics on challenges, social capital, navigating higher education, and seeking support. Free visual resources for students and student support staff.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Humber CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the 'Making Accessible Media' project with Humber College, involving professional media makers and students investigating accessible media production. Published research findings in the Canadian Journal of Communication and Journalism & Mass Communication Educator journals.
• Centre for Social InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLR In Action is headquartered at the Centre for Social Innovation in Toronto, indicating a collaborative relationship with this innovation hub that supports not-for-profit organizations in the education and research sector.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ISSOTL (International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning): ISSOTL is the global professional society for SoTL scholars, hosting conferences and a journal. Directly comparable mission and audience of higher-ed SoTL researchers and practitioners; TLR In Action's co-editor role on a related Canadian journal places it adjacent to ISSOTL's network.
• POD Network: POD Network is the US-based professional organization for educational developers in higher education. Direct peer in the SoTL/educational development space, though operating more as a membership society than a content-publisher.
• Cult of Pedagogy: Cult of Pedagogy is a creator-led platform (podcast, blog, YouTube) translating education research into practical guidance for teachers. Strongly comparable mission, format mix, and educator audience, with a much larger individual following.
• Faculty Focus (Magna Publications): Faculty Focus publishes articles, tips, and multimedia on effective teaching for higher-education instructors. Direct overlap with TLR In Action's "Teaching Strategies" audience and content type, though operated as a paid subscription/membership product.
• The Learning Scientists: The Learning Scientists is a direct peer — a small group of cognitive scientists producing free infographics, videos, and blog posts on evidence-based study strategies (retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving). Highly comparable audience, format mix, and mission to translate learning science for students and educators.
• Tomorrow's Professor (Stanford): Tomorrow's Professor is a Stanford-sponsored newsletter digesting research and guidance for higher-ed faculty. Overlaps in audience and intent with TLR In Action's educator-facing content, though delivered via email digest rather than video/social.

Broad incumbents

• MindShift (KQED): MindShift is KQED's education-focused digital publication covering learning science, teaching practice, and innovation. Comparable editorial mission to TLR In Action but tied to a major US public broadcaster with broader general-interest education coverage rather than a SoTL research focus.
• Edutopia (George Lucas Educational Foundation): Edutopia is a large, well-funded foundation producing videos, articles, and resources on evidence-based teaching and learning. Compares in content format and audience, but operates at substantially greater scale and budget and focuses more on K–12 than TLR In Action's higher-ed emphasis.

Regional players

• Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (University of Michigan): CRLT at the University of Michigan is an institutional hub producing evidence-based teaching resources, workshops, and publications for educators. Strong methodological overlap with TLR In Action, but institutional rather than independent.
• Center for Teaching Innovation (Cornell University): Cornell's Center for Teaching Innovation is an institutional teaching-and-learning center producing research-based teaching resources. Comparable in translating SoTL research into educator-facing content, but scoped to a single institution rather than distributed globally like TLR In Action.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights1 record

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/tlraction?lang=en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHafgEmbWzd4E9fVknqOc5w
• Facebookfacebook.com/TLRaction
• Instagraminstagram.com/tlraction
• TikToktiktok.com/@tlrinaction
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tlr-in-action

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Teaching and Learning Research In Action