Synopses & Reviews
Learning in Adulthood"For this third edition of Learning in Adulthoodwe have paid particular attention to work published since the last edition of the book. This third edition of Learning in Adulthood builds on material in the 1999 edition, bringing together the important contributions of the past decade to our understanding of adult learning. While we have preserved important foundational material (such as a discussion of andragogy), we have also brought to bear the most recent thinking and research. We have strived to put together a comprehensive overview and synthesis of what we know about adult learning: the context in which it takes place, who the participants are, what they learn and why, the nature of the learning process itself, new approaches to adult learning, the development of theory in adult learning, and other issues relevant to understanding adult learning."
—From the Preface
Previous praise for Learning in Adulthood
"An essential volume in adult education."
—Choice
"This book is extremely useful in that it provides an informed overview of issues related to adult learning. It is very readable, yet packs considerable challenge for the more experienced adult educator."
—Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education
"Learning in Adulthood's greatest strengths are its coverage of the learning context, theory-building within adult learning, and how social and ethical issues offer special challenges to adult learning. It will be useful to both experienced and novice continuing educators, as well as laypersons."
—Continuing Higher Education Review
Review
"Such an important and complete guide on the subject of adult learning that it is now in its second edition. Merriam and Caffarella have done a monument work of pulling together the current research and thinking on adult learning." (ForeThought)
"Merriam and Caffarella provide an excellent resource whose value will last until the appearance of the third edition." (Continuing Higher Education Review)
"An essential volume in adult education." (Choice, (praise from 1st edition))
"[Learning in Adulthood's] greatest strengths are its coverage of the learning context, theory-building within adult learning, and how social and ethical issues offer special challenges to adult learning. . . . [It] will be useful to both experienced and novice continuing educators, as well as laypersons." (Continuing Higher Education Review, (praise from 1st edition))
"This book is extremely useful in that it provides an informed overview of issues related to adult learning. It is very readable, yet packs considerable challenge for the more experienced adult educator." (Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education, (praise from 1st edition))
Synopsis
An updated synthesis of what we know about adult learning—its context, participants, major theoretical developments, and more. The authors reveal how sociocultural influences can create specific developmental needs and interests, and how race, class, and gender can shape learning. From this background, they construct a more inclusive perspective on adult learning, guiding readers toward new ways of thinking about teaching, learning, and the social implications of adult education.
Synopsis
"An essential volume in adult education."
--Choice
"Merriam and Caffarella provide an excellent resource whose value will last until the appearance of the third edition."
--Continuing Higher Education Review
The second edition of Learning in Adulthood integrates the most important contributions to adult learning in the last decade. The result is an updated, comprehensive synthesis of what we now know about adult learning--including the context in which it takes place, who the participants are, what they learn and why, the nature of the learning process itself, major theoretical developments, and much more. Sharan Merriam and Rosemary Caffarella reveal how sociocultural influences can create specific developmental needs and interests, and how such social factors as race, class, and gender can shape learning. From this background, they construct a more inclusive perspective on adult learning, guiding readers toward new ways of thinking about teaching, learning, and the broader social implications of adult education.
Synopsis
"An essential volume in adult education."
--Choice
"Merriam and Caffarella provide an excellent resource whose value will last until the appearance of the third edition."
--Continuing Higher Education Review
The second edition of Learning in Adulthoodintegrates the most important contributions to adult learning in the last decade. The result is an updated, comprehensive synthesis of what we now know about adult learning--including the context in which it takes place, who the participants are, what they learn and why, the nature of the learning process itself, major theoretical developments, and much more. Sharan Merriam and Rosemary Caffarella reveal how sociocultural influences can create specific developmental needs and interests, and how such social factors as race, class, and gender can shape learning. From this background, they construct a more inclusive perspective on adult learning, guiding readers toward new ways of thinking about teaching, learning, and the broader social implications of adult education.
Synopsis
In this updated landmark book, the authors have gathered the seminal work and most current thinking on adult learning into one volume. Learning in Adulthoodaddresses a wide range of topics including: Who are adult learners? How do adults learn? Why are adults involved in learning activities? How does the social context shape the learning that adults are engaged in? How does aging affect learning ability?
Synopsis
Since it was first published in 1991, Learning in Adulthood has been lauded as the most authoritative and comprehensive guide to adult learning. The revised and expanded third edition reflects the latest research and practice in adult learning, making it an essential resource for the field.
In this updated landmark book, the authors have gathered the seminal work and most current thinking on adult learning into one volume. Learning in Adulthood addresses a wide range of topics including: Who are adult learners? How do adults learn? Why are adults involved in learning activities? How does the social context shape the learning that adults are engaged in? How does aging affect learning ability?
Drawing from a background of work in sociology, philosophy, and critical social theory as well as psychology and education, the authors construct an inclusive perspective on adult learning, guiding readers toward new ways of thinking about teaching, learning, and the broader social implications of adult education.
About the Author
Sharan B. Merriamis professor of adult education at the University of Georgia. Merriam's research and writing activities have focused on the foundations of adult education, adult learning, adult development, and qualitative research methods. She has won the Cyril O. Houle Award for Outstanding Literature in Adult Education for three books, including one for Learning in Adulthood.
Rosemary S. Caffarellais professor and chair of the Department of Education in the College of Agriculture and Life Science at Cornell University. Her research and writing activities have focused on adult development and learning, program planning and evaluation, and leadership development. She has authored or coauthored a number of books, including the award-winning Learning in Adulthood.
Lisa M. Baumgartneris an associate professor of adult education at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. Her research and writing focus on adult learning and development and women's contributions to the field of adult education. She is a recipient of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Cyril O. Houle Scholars Research Grant for Emerging Scholars in Adult Education.
Table of Contents
Preface.
The Authors.
PART ONE: ADULT LEARNING IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY.
1 The Social Context of Adult Learning.
2 Learning Environments and Learning Concepts.
3 Adult Learners: Who Participates and Why.
PART TWO: ADULT LEARNING THEORY AND MODELS.
4 Knowles’s Andragogy, and Models of Adult Learning by McClusky, Illeris, and Jarvis.
5 Self-Directed Learning.
6 Transformational Learning.
7 Experience and Learning.
PART THREE: NEWER APPROACHES TO ADULT LEARNING.
8 Embodied, Spiritual, and Narrative Learning.
9 Learning and Knowing: Non-Western Perspectives.
10 Critical Theory, Postmodern, and Feminist Perspectives.
PART FOUR: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
11 Traditional Learning Theories.
12 Adult Development.
13 Cognitive Development in Adulthood.
14 Intelligence and Aging.
15 Memory, Cognition, and the Brain.
16 Reflections on Learning in Adulthood.
References.
Name Index.
Subject Index.