Category: ACE

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Adult learning and recognition of prior learning: The “white elephant” in Australian universities

Author: Tricia A Fox, Faculty of Education, Queensland University of Technology

Edition: Volume 45, Number 3, November 2005

Summary:  Adult learners are being attracted to university programs based on the granting of either academic credit or the recognition of prior learning (RPL). Typically, this attraction is being aligned to fast-tracking degree attainment or student cost effectiveness. It appears from the literature that there are varied interpretations and application of RPL within Australian universities. This can be problematic for adult learners with diverse experiences and expectations. Given the uniqueness of university learning, the future political changes to occur in Australian universities, and the problems with RPL that adult learners experience in university learning, it is timely for Australian universities to establish RPL practices that are transparent and consistent.

Keywords: RPL, university, adult learners

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Issues in using self-evaluations in adult education and training

Author: James A Athanasou, Faculty of Education, University of Technology, Sydney

Edition: Volume 45, Number 3, November 2005

Summary:  This paper focuses on two key aspects of self-evaluation in adult education and training through the perspective of (a) a social-cognitive framework which is used to categorise those factors that enhance self-efficacy and self-evaluation, and (b) the accuracy of self-evaluation. The social-cognitive framework categorises the factors that enhance self-evaluation, namely, social messages (e.g. comparison with others, feedback from others, social and cultural stereotypes), personal factors (e.g. the ability level of the rater, the standards and goals of the rater) and situational factors (e.g. the content area being evaluated). The paper reviews the accuracy of self-evaluations and concludes (a) that there is prima facie support from previous meta-analyses for their accuracy, (b) that the accuracy of self-evaluations is likely to be underestimated, and (c) that a focus on individual rather than group comparisons may be more useful for adult education. The educational value of formative self-evaluation for adult education and training contexts is supported.

Keywords: social-cognitive, adult education

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The public sale of funds for Indigenous education: a perspective from Tranby Aboriginal College

Author: Kate Munro, Tranby Aboriginal College

Edition: Volume 45, Number 2, July 2005

Summary:  The discussion begins with an overview of the historical struggle for independence in Indigenous education and highlights the success in the provision of quality education by the community-controlled sector, and more specifically, Tranby. The right to self determination is then contextualised against a backdrop of the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody (RCIADIC) and within a framework of international legal authority. Finally the diminution of funding for Indigenous education is discussed with reference to the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2005, and its potential impact on Tranby and the community-controlled sector.

Keywords: Indigenous education, self determination, RCIADIC, custody, legal, community

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In the same breath: Learning, adults with an intellectual disability and the Partner Assisted Learning System

Author: Judy Buckingham, Doctoral candidate, Deakin University

Edition: Volume 45, Number 2, July 2005

Summary:  Since adults with an intellectual disability are accessing not only adult education but the workforce and recreation centres as part of government policies towards greater inclusion, it should be in the interest of educators and workplace trainers to understand more about this particular impairment and its impact on learning. This article considers both intellectual disability, and learning and then describes how these concepts were used to develop the Partner Assisted Learning System – this being the end product of a three year research and development project instigated by Deakin University and Gawith Villa Inc to look for ways to incorporate participatory learning into the everyday experiences of people with an intellectual disability in adult education, recreation and the workplace.

Keywords: intellectual disability, inclusion, impact, learning, Gawith Villa, participatory

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Farmers’ perception of agricultural extension agents’ characteristics as factors for enhancing adult learning in Mezam division of Northwest Province of Cameroon

Author: Oladele O. Idowu, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Edition: Volume 45, Number 2, July 2005

Summary:  The education of farmers would be result oriented if among other things the learning enhancement situations are created. Farmers’ receptivity to training largely depends on the use of several educational methods by extension agents to reach farmers in Mezam division of Northwest province of Cameroon. Data were collected from May to August 2000 using Kerlinger’s n >= 30 sampling technique in the division since no definite sampling frame could be obtained. The result indicates that majority are males (62.5%); less than 40 years of age (68.6%), had formal education (81.3%), and can speak and write English language (56.3%). Farm visit is the most used teaching method (37.5%), while office calls (12.5%), group meetings (12.5%), and field days (6.3%) recorded low scores in the study area. The factor that was rated  as the most important in enhancing learning of the farmers was that extension agents should be knowledgeable in farming (87.5%). The agent being a farmer and educated (56.3% each) follows this, language came fourth on the importance list (50%).

Keywords: receptivity, education, teaching method, extension

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Learning in a bicultural context: A biographical case study

Author: Dorothy Hoy, Graduate, University of Technology, Sydney

Edition: Volume 45, Number 2, July 2005

Summary:  This article reports on a study focussed on the identity formation of a second generation male Australian Chinese. Learning was a major part of his adult life: from poor beginnings he studied repeatedly to achieve his goals. It was posited that education was the potent force throughout the individual’s development. The study, a life story, was underpinned by two theories: (i) Psychological impact of biculturalism: evidence and theory by La Fromboise et al. (1993) and (ii) The seasons of a man’s life by Levinson et al. (1978). The factors explored were family and attachment, gender, ethnicity and religion.

Keywords: second generation, Chinese, development, poor, potent,

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Millar’s story: The dynamic experience of an older adult computer learner

Authors: Helen Russell, Institute of Technology, Sydney

Edition: Volume 45, Number 1, April 2005

Summary:  The participation of older adults in computer learning environments is a recent phenomenon. Older adults of the twenty-first century have not grown up with information and communication technologies and are not likely to have used computers in their working lives. They may even feel alien in the world of technology. The purpose of this paper is to present a narrative description, and tentative analysis, of one person’s learning journey in this world. The interpretative analysis is guided by the principles of qualitative research, using case studies, and focusing on the individual experience of the learner. This article represents current findings in the early stage of a PhD thesis.

Keywords: older adult, technology, learner,

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Assessing learning achievements and development impact: Ghana’s national functional literacy program

Author: Aya Aoki, PhD candidate, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Edition: Volume 45, Number 1, April 2005

Summary: This paper summarises findings and lessons from a recently conducted evaluation of an adult functional literacy program in Ghana. The study attempted to assess learners’ literacy and numeracy skills, and ascertain participants’ knowledge and skills in various development aspects as well as their impact. The literacy and numeracy skills assessment exercise suggested that the learners are gaining significant reading skills and modest numeracy skills, while achievements in writing appear to remain weak. The findings also highlight the question of sustainability of these skills, which implies a need for improvements in post-literacy programs. The assessment demonstrated significant impact of the program on various areas of development. In particular, the study revealed the program’s strong impact on learners’ and their children’s education and livelihood activities. In addition, the learners gained knowledge and skills in health, environment and civic awareness.

Keywords: adult, functional literacy, numeracy, sustainability, post-literacy

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Lifelong, life-wide or life sentence?

Author: Terry Clark, Charles Darwin University

Edition: Volume 45, Number 1, April 2005

Summary: This paper examines the life-wide dimensions of lifelong learning. Although the benefits of a life-wide approach to learning are well recognised, there appears to be little explicit attention given to the concept of life-wide learning in Australia. It is argued that recent pronouncements by the Australian Government about the challenges of an ageing population would be better informed by reference to lifelong learning that includes its life-wide dimensions, rather than continued concentration on formal learning.

Keywords: life-wide, lifelong, formal learning,

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A case study of a volunteer-based literacy class with adults with developmental disabilities

Author: Jacqueline Lynch, York University, Toronto, Canada

Edition: Volume 53, Number 2, July 2013

Summary: The purpose of this study was to examine participants’ perspectives on how a volunteer-based adult literacy class supports the learning of adults with developmental/intellectual disabilities. Interviews were conducted with four tutors, three adult learners, and two coordinators and observations of the class occurred over a 6-month period during which the author was a tutor. The focus during this time period was on health and mathematics. Three major categories were identified: class organisation (goals and structure), teaching strategies and behaviours, and class activities. Based on these findings, several recommendations are presented including the need for further integration of adult learners’ out-of-school literacy activities into the class and for increased tutor knowledge of the adult learners’ disability.

Keywords: adult education, developmental disability, volunteers, literacy, health

 

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This article is part of AJAL, Volume 53_2. The entire volume is available in .pdf for purchase here.