Adult Educators Working with Adult Learners. Applying Theory and Practice

Abstract

7 In the world of adult education, which involves high speed and complex techno- 8 logical communication software there is sometimes a sense of the loss of the 9 identity of the individual adult learner. The creation of rich vibrant learning 10 environments is the goal for adult educators. 11 The challenge for adult educators is to design and deliver high-quality 12 programmes that encompass a blend of teaching and learning approaches and 13 strategies, that are constructed for adult learners in multiple educational envi- 14 ronments, and that cater for the diversity of adult learners' needs. As the chap- 15 ters in this book demonstrate, adult learners are complex individuals who come 16 to the learning process with a multitude of different experiences. Many are 17 working full-time jobs, many have family commitments that they need to 18 juggle with their learning commitments, some have experienced failure in 19 previous learning endeavours, some are coming to the adult learning environ- 20 ment as EAL (English as an Additional Language) learners, some come with 21 visual impairments, some are undertaking a formal qualification to enhance 22 their career opportunities (such as pre-service teachers and medical students) 23 and some are participating in on-the-job professional development programmes.