Perspectives of Quality in Adult Learning

Perspectives of Quality in Adult Learning PDF Author: Peter Boshier
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1847143830
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
Adult education is an under-researched field. Judgments about learning programmes are mostly summative and learning that does not lead to an accredited outcome is given low priority under current policy. This fascinating study considers the many factors that influence quality in adult learning and provides a detailed analysis of the following concepts - characteristics of adults as learners, adult learning theory and andragogy, the experiences of adult learners and what they bring to the learning environment, quality and teaching, and quality and learning.

Perspectives of Quality in Adult Learning

Perspectives of Quality in Adult Learning PDF Author: Peter Boshier
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1847143830
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
Adult education is an under-researched field. Judgments about learning programmes are mostly summative and learning that does not lead to an accredited outcome is given low priority under current policy. This fascinating study considers the many factors that influence quality in adult learning and provides a detailed analysis of the following concepts - characteristics of adults as learners, adult learning theory and andragogy, the experiences of adult learners and what they bring to the learning environment, quality and teaching, and quality and learning.

From Pedagogy to Quality Assurance in Education

From Pedagogy to Quality Assurance in Education PDF Author: Heidi Flavian
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
ISBN: 1838671064
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
In an increasingly global world, it is more important than ever that educators are equipped to respond to the needs of international student cohorts. This book is a fruitful resource for researchers, educators, and others, who wish to develop new approaches and educational models to contribute to the efficient process of learning.

Perspectives on Educational Quality

Perspectives on Educational Quality PDF Author: Jaap Scheerens
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400709269
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 149

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Book Description
The quality of education is a term that is frequently used in public debates. Understood in the sense of education being “generally okay” , or rather, most frequently, as “not okay”. Perhaps there is an overruling nostalgic view that formerly education was better than today. In scholarly discourse there are those who maintain that the quality of education is an illusive term, with varying interpretations in different settings and by different stakeholders. In this book the complexity of the concept of education quality is recognized, but a conceptual framework is presented that makes quality, despite its complexity, amenable to rational and empirical analysis. Productivity, equity, effectiveness, efficiency and responsiveness of education systems are seen as key facets of quality. A concrete set of indicators is presented that makes for the measurement of these quality facets. In the second part of the book the quality framework is applied to an analysis of the quality of education in the Netherlands. Common sense in the Netherlands is dominated by the view that the quality of education is a course for serious concern. Some recent quality reviews take the same pessimistic outlook. However, the current overview of indicators on the Dutch system, seen from an international perspective, presents a picture that is much more positive. Still there is always room for improvement, in the case of the Netherlands this should probably be sought in diminishing the selectivity of the system as a way to improve participation in higher education.

Self-direction in Adult Learning

Self-direction in Adult Learning PDF Author: Ralph G. Brockett
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429854358
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 454

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Book Description
Originally published in 1991, this book provides the reader with a comprehensive synthesis of developments, issues and practices related to a self-direction in learning. it presents strategies for facilitating self-directed learning as an instructional method and for enhancing learner self-direction as an aspect of adult personality. The idea of self-directed learning is not a new one but has received renewed attention in education circles and has particular significance for the adult education sector.

Adult Education Policy and the European Union: Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives

Adult Education Policy and the European Union: Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives PDF Author:
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9462095485
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
FREELY AVAILABLE ONLINE AS OPEN ACCESS BOOK! The European Union is now a key player in making lifelong learning and adult education policy: this is the first book to explore a range of theoretical and methodological perspectives researchers can use to investigate its role. Chapters by leading experts and younger scholars from across Europe and beyond cover the evolution of EU policies, the role of policy ‘actors’ in what is often seen as the ‘black box’ of EU policy-making, and the contribution state theory can make to understanding the EU and its relations with Europe’s nations. They consider what theories of governmentality—drawing on the work of Foucault—can contribute. And they demonstrate how particular methodological approaches, such as ‘policy trails’, and the contribution the sociology of law, can make. Contributors include both specialists in adult education and scholars exploring how work from other disciplines can contribute to this field. This is the first book in a new series from the European Society for Research on the Education of Adults, and draws on work within its Network on Policy Studies in Adult Education.

A Positive Psychology Perspective on Quality of Life

A Positive Psychology Perspective on Quality of Life PDF Author: Anastasia Efklides
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400749635
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 303

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Book Description
The construct ‘‘quality of life (QoL)’’, since the 1980s, when it was introduced, is being used mainly in the context of health problems. Areas of one’s life that contribute to QoL are good physical and mental health, efficient cognitive functioning, social support, being able to meet the requirements of professional life, positive emotions, etc (Power, 2003). Work on subjective well-being (SWB), on the other hand, was developed in the context of healthy everyday life; it also has a history of more than 30 years. During this 30-year period factors that have an impact on SWB, such as SES, gender, health, age, and religiosity have been identified (Diener, 2000). A third independent line of research pertains to what has been called Positive Psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), that is, an emphasis on human strengths, such as optimism, hope, wisdom, positive emotions, resilience, etc., which contribute to positive functioning in life. Recently, SWB has been associated to human strengths and to the movement of positive psychology but this did not happen for QoL, possibly because of its emphasis on people with health problems. However, QoL can be conceived of as a generic term that pertains to all people, healthy or not. In this sense, it is closely related to SWB defined as happiness (Diener, 2000). Also, QoL encompasses positive emotions that go beyond happiness and has the advantage that it can be applied to many different domains of life such as interpersonal relations, health-related situations, and professional and educational strivings. Moreover, the mechanism(s) that underpin QoL and SWB can be studied in relation to people’s goals and strengths of character, that is, from a positive psychological perspective. Such a perspective can reveal the specificities of “quality” in the various domains of life and, specifically, the positive emotions and strengths that contribute to a happier, healthier, and more successful life, even in face of adversity. Therefore, despite the differences among the three theoretical traditions, namely QoL, SWB, and positive psychology, it is possible to find the common ground they share and each of them can benefit from notions developed in the others. The aim of the present book is to bring together these three traditions, show the interactions of variables emphasized by them, and give an integrative perspective from the positive psychology point of view. It also aims to extend the range of life situations in which one can look for quality and which go beyond the traditional emphasis of QoL on health problems. Thus, the content of the proposed book covers different age populations (from children to older adults), healthy and people facing health problems as well as people facing problems in their interpersonal lives or in their pursuits. It also discusses factors that contribute to marital satisfaction, well being in the school context, and things that people value and cherish. The chapters refer to notions such as happiness, interest, resilience, wisdom, hope, altruism, optimism, and spirituality/religiosity that represent unique human strengths. Finally, it emphasizes the role of goals and motivation that connect SWB with self-regulation and managing of one’s life priorities. To conclude, the chapters included in the proposed edited book aim at bringing to the fore new theoretical developments and research on QoL, SWB, and positive psychology that bridges previously distinct theoretical traditions. The proposed book covers a broad range of topics, addresses different theoretical interests and paves the way for a more integrative approach. Finally, it brings together an international set of authors, from USA, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

International Perspectives on Older Adult Education

International Perspectives on Older Adult Education PDF Author: Brian Findsen
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319249398
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 516

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Book Description
This important book builds on recent publications in lifelong learning which focus on learning and education in later life. This work breaks new ground in international understandings of what constitutes later life learning across diverse cultures in manifold countries or regions across the world. Containing 42 separate country/regional analyses of later life learning, the overall significance resides in insiders’ conceptualisations and critique of this emerging sub-field of lifelong learning and adult education. International perspectives on older adult education provides new appreciation of what is happening in countries from Europe (14), Africa (10), the Americas (7), Asia (9) and Australasia (2), as authored by adult educators and/or social gerontologists in respective geographical areas. These analyses are contextualised by a thorough introduction and critical appraisal where trends and fresh insights are revealed. The outcome of this book is a never-before available critique of what it means to be an older learner in specific nations, and the accompanying opportunities and barriers for learning and education. The sub-title of research, policy and practice conveys the territory that authors traverse in which rhetoric and reality are interrogated. Coverage in chapters includes conceptual analysis, historical patterns of provision, policy developments, theoretical perspectives, research studies, challenges faced by countries and “success stories” of later life learning. The resultant effect is a vivid portrayal of a vast array of learning that occurs in later life across the globe. Brian Findsen is Professor of Education and Postgraduate Leader for Te Whiringa School of Educational Leadership and Policy, Faculty of Education, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Marvin Formosa is Head of the Department of Gerontology, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta, and Director of the International Institute on Ageing (United Nations - Malta).

Global Perspectives on Adult Education and Learning Policy

Global Perspectives on Adult Education and Learning Policy PDF Author: Marcella Milana
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137388250
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 281

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Book Description
The worldwide appearance and expression of adult education and lifelong learning have changed significantly during the past 20 years. This book explores recent changes in their related national and international policies, how they intersect with developments in higher education and how they may contribute to debates on citizenship and democracy.

The Adult Learner

The Adult Learner PDF Author: Malcolm Knowles
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1040229344
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
How do you tailor education to the learning needs of adults? Do they learn differently from children? How does their life experience inform their learning processes? These were the questions at the heart of Malcolm Knowles’ pioneering theory of andragogy which transformed education theory in the 1970s. The resulting principles of a self-directed, experiential, problem-centred approach to learning have been hugely influential and are still the basis of the learning practices we use today. Understanding these principles is the cornerstone of increasing motivation and enabling adult learners to achieve. The 10th edition of The Adult Learner has been revised to include: The two chapters on diversity, inclusion and belonging in adult learning, and andragogy and the online adult learner have been greatly expanded to reflect the importance of these topics to the field today. The accompanying Instructor and Student Resources website provides free digital materials designed to enhance student learning and save instructors time when preparing lessons. Resources include: • Ready-to-use PowerPoint slides to save instructor time when planning lessons • Learning objectives and part outlines for structured learning • Suggested class discussions, exercises, and scenario-based activities • Downloadable instruments for chapters 19 to 22 • Video explaining the Andragogy In Practice model • A chapter-by-chapter Instructor Manual and a corresponding Student Guide to enhance learning outcomes. If you are a researcher, practitioner, or student in education, an adult learning practitioner, training manager, or involved in human resource development, this is the definitive book in adult learning you should not be without.

Toward Defining and Improving Quality in Adult Basic Education

Toward Defining and Improving Quality in Adult Basic Education PDF Author: Alisa Belzer
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135601321
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Book Description
This volume revisits, problematizes, and expands the meaning of quality in the context of adult basic education. Covering a wide range of relevant topics, it includes contributors from the realms of both policy and practice and encompasses both the major instructional areas-reading, writing, and mathematics-as well as larger issues of literacy, learning, and adulthood. Each chapter focuses on what improving quality in the field might look like through the particular lens of the author's work. As a whole, the broad scope of topics and ideas addressed will raise the level of discussion, knowledge, and practice regarding quality in adult basic education. In this book, the term adult basic education refers to the broad range of services for adults who wish to improve their literacy and language skills, including beginning and intermediate writing, writing and numeracy, preGED, GED/Adult Secondary Education, and ESL instruction that takes place in a range of contexts including schools, community-based programs, and workplace development programs. The volume is organized around three themes: *Accountability, Standards, and the Use of Documentation and Research; *Program Structures and Instruction; and *Rethinking Our Assumptions and Concepts. Coming at a time of increasing pressure to standardize, to be accountable, and to improve outcomes, and when calls for evidence-based practice are fueling stakeholders' interest in the relationship between research and practice at all levels of the system, Toward Defining and Improving Quality in Adult Basic Education is particularly timely for scholars, graduate students, and professionals in the field of adult basic education.