The Future of Adult Education

Abstract

It is an interesting assignment to think about the future of adult education. In fact, it is an assignment I have the graduate students in my Introduction to Adult Education class at East Carolina University consider during one of our course units. In that unit, which occurs after examining the history of adult education, we consider where our field is heading. Not surprisingly, responses to this question are as diverse as the students in the class and as diverse as the field of adult education itself. Most students are excited about the future and interested in considering how their interests, education, and particular skill sets might best serve them in the field of adult education. Many who work in the field of adult education bemoan the lack of resources, institutional ambivalence, and other obstacles. Almost all students discuss their interest in working with adult learners and underlying motivation for helping adults learn and grow. Some comment on the diversity of the field, as represented by the many different jobs held by the members of the class. Despite the differences in backgrounds, career goals, and interests within the field, in the end, some common themes emerge. We agree that passion for helping adults learn and being present when light bulb moments occur is what drives us to do what we do. It is what motivates us and keeps us going as adult educators. We are also optimistic about the future and enjoy speculating about what the future of adult education holds for us. As a member of the Board of Directors for the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE), and now as incoming President-Elect, I have also been considering the future of our discipline. AAACE recently completed a strategic planning process and evaluated where the organization stands and where it is headed. Through a member survey and self-assessment, AAACE examined how the board can best serve the needs of members and promote the organization and the discipline. As a result of these discussions and my own contemplation, several themes emerged that may hold the keys for future success for AAACE and the field of adult education. The Future Means Being Flexible We can look at the concept of flexibility in several different ways. Technology, for example, provides adult educators and learners flexibility in program delivery methods and access to formal education. This does not mean traditional face-to-face teaching will become obsolete. It simply means we can be more innovative in the options we offer learners. Flexibility also allows us to be more responsive to learner needs. Gone are the days when adults stayed in one job for their entire lives. Now, people change jobs and entire career paths on a regular basis. Often, they need education as part of these transitions. Furthermore, demographic shifts mean retiring baby boomers are looking for leisure-time learning activities. Social justice issues in our world continue to evolve. The demand for adult basic skills education continues to increase. As adult educators, we need to be flexible in response to the changing needs of adult learners and ready to provide the educational opportunities they need, when they are needed. Flexibility means we at AAACE must continually evaluate the products and services we offer our members and make changes when appropriate. The recent additions of the Special Interest Group on Sustainability and Environmental Adult Education and the Special Interest Group for Labor/Workforce Education are good examples of responsiveness to the changing field of adult education and new needs of our members. We must be open to the opportunities that present themselves as the field of adult education evolves. The Future Means Using Technology Wisely As noted above, technology has changed the way we educate adults. It has also changed the way we communicate. We at AAACE are always looking for better ways to communicate with members and now use Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and continuously work to improve the AAACE website. …