Complications Nontraditional Students and Adult Learners Face in Higher Education.
Publication Date
4-6-2018
Document Type
Poster
Department
Communication
Mentor
John Baldwin
Mentor Department
Communication
Abstract
While nontraditional students and adult learners are a growing population within higher education campuses nationally, they do not receive the required support to offset some of the complications and age biases they face. Based on motivations theory and adult learning theory, the current interview study presents findings from 50 nontraditional students and adult learners at a large Midwestern University. Findings suggest that, in many cases, nontraditional students and adult learners face family difficulty or financial hardship related to higher education. Motivations theory posits that there is an internal driving force within each individual to achieve a desired outcome. One of the assumptions of andragogy is, as one matures their motivation to learn increases. As there are minimal and often no support systems for nontraditional students and adult learners, their motivations must be stronger than the complications they face.
Recommended Citation
Pucek, Pete, "Complications Nontraditional Students and Adult Learners Face in Higher Education." (2018). University Research Symposium. 129.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/rsp_urs/129
Comments
Pucek-graduate