Major Streams of Research Probing Older Adult Learning

Abstract

Research findings describe the cognitive capability of older adults, their participation in a range of educational activities, their response to instructional approaches, and their reflection about their own learning. These findings combine to emphasize the importance of contextual and environmental factors, including educational programs, in understanding how older adults use learning to meet the challenges confronting them.

Captivating Lifelong Learners in the Third Age

“…This article is grounded in a positive and holistic approach to lifelong learning in the third age. Fisher (1998) has noted that much of the research on lifelong learning in the third age has taken a reductionist approach. Scientific explorations of the third age experience appear overtly expert-led rather than allowing the wholeness and complexities of the third age to emerge from voices of third agers themselves.…”

Woodturning for Older Learners: A Real ‘Turn On’

“…For instance, structured courses, modelling and guided practice tend to represent an 'old model' of teaching (Lave and Wenger, 1991) or a more 'pedagogical model' of adult learning as defined by Knowles (1998). Like the older adults in Rich's research (in Fisher, 1998) who learned how to use the computer and how to word process, the participants in this study appreciated a direct and structured teaching method. For instance, the majority of them had attended a structured course where they learned the rudiments of woodturning.…”

“…Learning is a multi-dimensional and complex task that is dependent upon a number of variables including, for example, the learners themselves, the learning styles of learners, the learning environment, and the instructional techniques utilised (Boulton-Lewis, Marton, Lewis, and Wilss, 2000). Fisher (1998) claims that much of the research and writing in the field of learning for older adults has come from the cognitive literature and the general adult education field. Some of the ideas from this literature, as well as writing and research in the field of older adults, are now considered.…”

“…Thus, the preferences of older adults can fit into both camps (Spigner-Littles and Anderson, 1999). An example of older learners who preferred teacher directed methods were those discussed in Rich's research (cited in Fisher, 1998). Rich (1998) explored how older learners learned how to use the computer and develop their word processing skills.…”