ABSTRACT

Until relatively recently, adult learning in the UK was largely recognised as being situated mainly within the LEA adult education centre, university extra-mural departments and the WEA. However, this picture has changed. The major change has been a shift from 'education' to 'learning' as the key organising concept. A greater range of settings are now recognised as sites producing learning, and alongside this has grown a debate about the purpose and form of study within adult learning. This has led people to question both the concept of adult learning and the boundaries of its provision.
This book reviews and assesses the changes which are taking place. It explores the disputes surrounding adult learning, discussing how boundaries have blurred thereby creating new opportunities such as APL and credit transfer, and including a significantly wider range of activities within the definition of learning. It also assesses the extent to which, despite the changes in boundaries, inequalities in learning opportunities still persist.

chapter |7 pages

Introduction

Beyond the bounds

chapter 3|25 pages

Breaking the code

Engaging practitioners in critical analysis of adult educational literature †

chapter 4|17 pages

Andragogy

An emerging technology for adult learning †

chapter 5|10 pages

The search for a separate theory of adult learning

Does anyone really need andragogy?

chapter 6|19 pages

On contemporary practice and research

Self-directed learning to critical theory †

chapter 8|17 pages

The British adult education tradition

A re-examination

chapter 10|13 pages

The second chance

The vital myth of equal opportunities in adult education †

chapter 11|15 pages

Learning and ‘leisure'

chapter 12|21 pages

Part-time: whose time?

Women's lives and adult learning †

chapter 14|15 pages

Professions and competencies

chapter 15|15 pages

Personal skills and transfer

Meanings, agendas and possibilities