The article first discusses the societal context that leads to the learning society, pointing out
the essential characteristics of our new era that have brought the four kinds of main
challenges to human development and the necessity of construction of learning society
thereby. Next, based on the gist of learning society, the wheel model for learning society is
brought forward, in which families, traditional formal educational institutions, societal
organizations of many kinds, internet and communication technology, governmental
support and so on are defined as essential components of the learning society, and their
interactions are also elucidated. At last, according to the blueprint of the wheel model and by
contrasting with our adult educational practice, the article ends up briefly with the main tasks
to innovate Chinese adult education.