2. Case Study Context & Focus
Context
Adult student enrolled in the second quarter of a Master of
Health Administration program
Focus
Two dimensions of the learning experience:
• Adult learning (andragogy)
• Online Learning setting
3. Andragogy
“
The theory of adult learning that distinguishes the
abilities, needs, and desires of adult learning from
childhood and adolescent learning. It is not
completely separate from pedagogy, but can work
alongside it- to fit the prior knowledge, experiences,
and motivations that separate adult learners from
children learners.
(Hiemstra & Sisco, 1990, para. 6)
”
4. “
Adult learners are autonomous and self-directed and
want to be involved in their own educational
planning. They have the ability to initiate solutions
to the challenges they encounter in their attempts
to learn and are capable of planning organizing and
implementing their own learning strategies.
”
Wilmarth, 2010, p. 3, para. 2
5. What we know about adult learners
• Independent; Self-directed learners
• Have experiences that can be used to support
learning
• Intentional learners
• Performance-centered
(Hiemstra & Sisco, 1990, para. 7)
Cited from (Knowles, 1980, p. 44-45)
6. Online Learning
According to the Sloan Consortium,
in 2007 3.5 million learners used
online learning.
The number is increasing due to the
demand for certain levels of
education to perform certain jobs
and upward mobility to gain a more
ideal position and more money
within one’s field.
(Bedford, 2009, para. 1)
7. Online Learning
The convenience of online
learning allows people to add
education to their lives, while still
maintaining their personal and
professional lives, due to the
autonomy and convenience of
online learning.
(Bedford, 2009, para. 1)
8. Case Study Question
What features and designs in online learning support or
neglect the needs of adult learners?
• With particular attention to self-directed learning, learner
motivation, and instructional design
