Global Perspectives In Adult Learning

This book demonstrates how processes of globalization (economic, cultural, socio-political) are creating new possibilities and inequities and are thereby creating corresponding roles for adult education and learning in the South (Africa, Asia, South America) that are embedded in multiple political, economic and cultural projects for social change.

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.

'Globalization' has become a key shorthand for describing some of the important changes affecting daily life in all parts of the world. Adult educators and trainers are grappling with the impacts of changing social relations in the economic, political, social, cultural and environmental spheres. There is particular concern for the majority of people who are poor, live in rural areas or urban slums and are marginal to decision making in their societies. This book is a collection of critical reflections on adult education and training which have traditionally had strong demarcation lines between them. A wide range of education and training strategies in different sites of practice, including civil society organisations, the workplace, and state institutions, are explored in both theory and practice. Important examples are given of practices which are challenging the dominant relations where human capital is emphasised before human values.

Adopting a social action perspective, this book is an assessment of where adult education now stands in the world. It argues that the purposes and rationale of adult education need to be reconceptualised for it to become an effective agent of change.

The volume presents research that emerges from the 9th international Adult Education Academy (2022), which brings together researchers, students and practitioners from around the world to share perspectives comparatively. More than 80 participants from almost 20 different countries have exchanged, compared and expanded their individual knowledge and experience on adult learning and education. This volume consisting of eight contributions (including one fundamental article beforehand) assumes that globalisation affects national, regional and local levels of adult learning and education. Transformational relations are observed and analysed through the lens of participation, sustainability and digitalisation. All contributions apply an international comparative research approach to empirically investigate these areas with their upcoming needs. This approach takes place under consideration of comparison as a research method which not only grounds on a long tradition and relies on a set of rules and techniques, but also on an inner attitude and sensitivity with which we look at the world and its global needs while trying to understand.

Assessing the shifting relationship between Higher Education and Lifelong Learning through detailed longitudinal case studies from UK, Canada, USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and a wide variety of European countries, the book also examines the issues from the perspective of developing countries.

This book provides perspectives from authors in six countries (Canada, Colombia, Germany, France, UK, USA) pertaining to adult learning in the 21st Century. This book grew out of an exciting International Conference on Adult Learning (ICAL) held in Paris, May 27-29, 2012. Imagine “listening in” as these international scholars, representing expertise in various areas related to adult education, focus their collective attention to the topic of adult learning. Their task is to concentrate their research and intellectual acumen on where adult learning is heading in the 21st Century and to bring together their varied areas of expertise to expand the field of adult education’s knowledge base. This book provides more than a record of their papers and meetings. Instead, each author has revised their paper with symposium feedback to help capture the discussion, synergy and growing knowledge base we envision together. Now you can read how these leading scholars understand adult learning in light on their collective work. Areas of focus include • Heuristics of Adult Learning • Facilitating Self Directed Learning • Individuals and the Learning Process • Executives’ Self-Development • Distance Learning • Science Self Directed Learning for All • Entertainment-Education Communication Strategy • Positive Deviance to Transform Education • Learning Through the Life Course This book will benefit teachers, researchers, administrators, and students in the field of adult education, learning, and practice. The synergistic result of bringing together nine scholars results in many new practical applications, research streams, scholarship, and practice suggestions.