Lisa Ellem (lisa.ellem@scu.edu.au)
Education, Southern Cross University, 2023
Abstract
Today’s adult learners are social and economic revolutionaries who invite change. Adult learners operate in the adult learning industry that holds substantial national, social, and economic benefits. However, most research regarding the needs of adults who learn is primarily conducted by sector specific learning providers, funding, or governing bodies. The voice of adults who are learning across sectors in this current climate of change is missing. To address the gap, this study asks adult learners what they need. The aim of the study is to understand and then explain the needs of adult learners. The purpose of the study is to elucidate the circumstance and context for adult learning, from the perspective of the adult learner through a critical realist narrative inquiry. The framing is designed to support a deep exploration of each adult learner’s unique story and then deliver a causal explanation. Seven participants representing higher education, vocational education and training, and workplace learning were purposefully invited to share their story. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and diaries, and then analysed. The individual stories were interwoven in a combined narrative that shared the research findings and an understanding of what adult learners need. This study identified a matrix of four core adult learning needs. These are change, self, community and joy. The findings contribute significantly to the political and academic discourse around adult learning needs. The implication for the Australian adult learning system is to educate and support learners, educators, providers, and policy makers around the matrix of core adult learner needs and develop strategies that address these core learning needs in the contemporary climate of change.
Methods
Qualitative: Critical Realist Narrative Inquiry