How adjunct faculty understand and apply learner-centered pedagogy

Abstract

This study examined how adjunct faculty understand and apply learner-centered pedagogy and the institutional factors that impact their capacity to learn and apply learner-centered teaching. Adult Learning Theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven adjuncts from the College of Arts and Sciences at a private, four-year university in New England. The transcripts were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and four major findings emerged from the analytic process: (a) the participants demonstrated a limited understanding of the principles of learner-centered pedagogy; (b) the participants demonstrated a limited use of learner-centered instructional practices; (c) institutional factors impacted their capacity to learn and apply learner-centered teaching; and (d) the participants were characterized by adjunct types that reflected the unique needs and interests of each cohort relative to teaching and learning. These findings were examined within the context of the framework of Adult Learning Theory and situated within the extant literature. They suggest opportunities for enhancing adjuncts' understanding and application of learner-centered pedagogy to enhance their teaching effectiveness and to improve student learning outcomes.