Adult Learner Adversities and How to Overcome Them

1. Adult Learner Adversities
and
How to Overcome Them

2. What are some of the adversities
for Adult Learners?
work
family
age
disability

3. There are various ways for an adult learner to overcome the difficulties and
barriers of going back to school. One way would be long distance/online
learning and the other by accommodating on-campus adult learners
through different other accommodations for example off hour class
schedules. Both of these methods are a big step in the right direction, but
there are many more hardships to overcome for an adult learner to be
successful in his or her studies.

4. According to research by (Ilgaz & Gulbahar, 2017), “Numerous
research studies have focused on learner preferences for online
learning, with most converging around individual characteristics and
differences” and thus finding ways to overcoming barriers for adult
learners. Even though online learning is removing a difficulty in going
back to school, it depends on the individual whether or not one is
disciplined enough to set aside independent study time.

5. By “Bridging the Gap” (Falasca, 2011), states
that ”for adults to become lifelong learners,
barriers to learning have to be removed.” She
states that “According to most researches,
there are two main barriers to adult learning:
external or situational, and internal or
dispositional. External barriers are typically
defined as influences beyond one’s control,
and internal barriers tend to reflect one’s
personal attitude.”

6. As stated in the above-listed articles, online learning removes many
difficulties, such as work and family obligations, by eliminating time
restraints, as well as make it easier for people with disabilities. To be
successful in online education one has to possess self-control whereas
on-campus education can eliminate barriers by offering various class
times.

7. References
Falasca, M. (2011). Barriers to adult learning: Bridging the
gap. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, Vol.51, Number 3.
https://eric.ed.gov/?q=Adult+Learning&pr=on&ft=on&id= EJ954482
Ilgaz, H &; Gulbahar, Y. (2017) Why Do Learners Choose Online
Learning: The Learners' Voices.
https://eric.ed.gov/?q=what+are+the+advantages
+of+being+an+ Adult+Learner&pr=on&ft=on &id=
ED579379