Adult Learning Strategies Used in Higher Education Institutions in Zimbabwe for Lifelong Learning in the Accounting Field
Keywords:
lifelong learning, adult learning, teaching strategies
Abstract
The study aims to assess the adequacy of adult learning strategies used for lifelong learning in Zimbabwean higher education institutions. The department of accounting sciences at the state university was used as a case study. The study was informed by Kolb’s learning cycle theory, constructivism, and adult learning theory. A descriptive research design was used. The population considered registered level four accounting students and lecturers thereof. Using an Adapted Principles of Adult Learning Scale survey questionnaire by Conti (2004), it was found that teacher-centered adult learning strategies (mainly lecturing) are mostly used than learner-centered ones. Overall, the adult learning strategies used are a score of 107.17 – way below the normed average mean of 146. The standard deviation was also 15.73, which was less than the norm of 20. The study recommends that training or workshops for lecturers on adult learning strategies for teaching should be organized, and that lecturers without teaching qualifications should enroll for postgraduate studies in higher and tertiary education to better understand lifelong learning teaching methodologies. The paper contributes to new knowledge by identifying areas which need improvement when teaching adults for lifelong learning.
References
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Conti, G. (2004). Identify Your Teaching Style. In Adult Learning Methods: A Guide for Effective Instruction (pp. 75–91).
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Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). London: SAGE Publications.
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de Sousa, L. O. (2021). Learning experiences of a participatory approach to educating for sustainable development in a South African Higher Education Institution yielding social learning indicators. Sustainability, 13(6), 3210.
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Gocer, A. (2016). An Important Stage of Life-Long Learning: Adult Literacy and Benefits (Sampling of Kayseri in Turkey). Education and Science, 41(183), 199–216. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2016.4600
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Institute of Education Sciences. (2021). Adult Education Strategies: Identifying and Building Evidence of Effectiveness.
Jarvis, P. (2018). Learning to be a person in society. In K. Illeris (Ed.), Contemporary theories of learning (2nd ed., pp. 2-28). New York, NY: Routledge.
Karge, B. D., Phillips, K. M., Jessee, T., & McCabe, M. (2011). Effective Strategies for Engaging Adult Learners. Journal of College Teaching & Learning, 8(12), 53-56.
Knowles, M. (1973). 13 The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species. American Society for Training and Development.
Kolb, D.A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Kumar, R. (2011). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
LeNoue, M., Hall, T., & Eighmy, M. A. (2011). Adult Education and the Social Media Revolution. Adult Learning, 22(2), 4-12.
Marzano, R. J., Pickering, D., & McTighe, J. (1994). Assessing Student Outcomes: Performance Assessment Using the Dimension of Learning Model. Alexandria Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Mashininga, K. (2019, March 6). Job survey shows need for debate on graduate quality. University World News.
Merriam, S. B. (2017). Adult learning theory: Evolution and future directions. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 26, 21-37. Retrieved from https://www.iup.edu/ace/paace/v26-2017
Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014). Adult learning: Linking theory and practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Mystakidis, S., Berki, E., & Valtanen, J. (2019). The Patras Blended Strategy Model for Deep and Meaningful Learning in Quality Life-Long Distance Education. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 17(2), 66–78. https://doi.org/10.34190/JEL.17.2.01
Piaget, J. (1972). The Psychology of the Child. New York: Basic Books.
Rachal, J. (2015). Reflections on the Lindeman legacy. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 24, 1-6. Retrieved from https://www.iup.edu/ace/paace/v24-2015
Rasmussen, C. (2015, June). Adults as learners: Effective teaching strategies. In Workforce Solutions Conference. University of Minnesota.
Regmi, K. D. (2015). Life-long learning: Foundational models, underlying assumptions and critiques. Int Rev Educ., 61(2), 133–151.
Rubenson, K. (2019). Assessing the status of lifelong learning : Issues with composite indexes and surveys on participation. International Review of Education, 65(2), 295–317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-019-09768-3
Rutherford-Hemming, T. (2012). Simulation Methodology in Nursing Education and Adult Learning Theory. Adult Learning, 23(3), 129-137.
Silverman, D. (2013). Doing Qualitative Research (4th ed., K. Metzler, Ed.). SAGE Publications.
Sinel, T. (2011). Lifelong Learning Matters. VIPdesk Blog, Washington. Retrieved July 3, 2022, from http://blog.vipdesk.com/2011/04/04/lifelong-learning-matters/
Tight, M. (2003). Key Concepts in Adult Education and Training. Florence, Ky.: Routledge. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/oculryerson/docDetail.action?docID=10100967&p00
Trafford, V., & Leshem, S. (2008). Stepping Stones to Achieving Your Doctorate by Focusing on Your Viva from the Start. In Open UP study skills.
UNESCO. (2009). UNESCO World Conference on Sustainable Development: Bonn Declaration 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001887/188799e.pdf
Wang, M., Yuan, D., & Weidlich, M. (2017). Do the demands of the global forces shape local agenda? An analysis of lifelong learning policies and practice in China. Asia Pacific Education Review, 18, 219-226.
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis (2nd ed.). Harper and Row, New York.
Yazici, A. (2015). Challenges and barriers in implementing lifelong learning in developing countries. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 6(3).
Bahçelerli, N. M. (2018). Strategy for lifelong learning in vocational schools of tourism education. Quality & Quantity, 52, 43-58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-017-0586-4
Bedard, K., & Kuhn, P. (2008). Where Class Size Really Matters: Class Size and Student Ratings of Instructor Effectiveness. Economics of Education Review, 27(3), 253-265.
Blackley, S., & Sheffield, R. (2015). Digital andragogy: A richer blend of initial teacher education in the 21st century. Issues in Educational Research, 25(4), 397-414. Retrieved from http://www.iier.org.au/iier25/blackley-2.html
Byrd, J. L. (2010). Educational Philosophies, Teaching Styles, Learning Strategy Preferences, and Attitude Toward Continuing Education of Nattionally Certified Sign Language Interpreters. Oklahoma State University.
Caminotti, E., & Gray, J. (2012). The Effectiveness of Storytelling on Adult Learning. Journal of Workplace Learning, 24(6), 430-438.
Chen, J. C. (2014). Teaching non-traditional adult students: Adult learning theories in practice. Teaching in Higher Education, 19(4), 406-418. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517. 2013.860101
Chisingui, A. V., & Costa, N. (2020). Teacher education and sustainable development goals: A case study with future biology teachers in an Angolan higher education institution. Sustainability, 12(8), 3344.
Chivasa, S., Tapera, J., & Kwandayi, H. (2021). Quality Orientation in the University Communities in Zimbabwe Quality Orientation in the University Communities in Zimbabwe. January.
Clark, M. C., & Rossiter, M. (2006). "Now the Pieces Are in Place...": Learning through Personal Storytelling in the Adult Classroom. New Horizons In Adult Education & Human Resource Development, 20(3), 19-33.
Cochran, C., & Brown, S. (2016). Andragogy and the adult learner. In K. Flores, K. Kirstein, C. Schieber, & S. Olswang (Eds.), Supporting the success of adult and online students (pp. 73-84). Seattle, WA: City University of Seattle.
Consultancy, I. P. (2018, June 8). Job survey shows need for debate on graduate quality. University World News.
Conti, G. (2004). Identify Your Teaching Style. In Adult Learning Methods: A Guide for Effective Instruction (pp. 75–91).
Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. P. (2018). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research Approach. Sage.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). London: SAGE Publications.
Cummins, P., & Kunkel, S. (2015). A global examination of policies and practices for lifelong learning. New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 27(3), 3-17.
de Sousa, L. O. (2021). Learning experiences of a participatory approach to educating for sustainable development in a South African Higher Education Institution yielding social learning indicators. Sustainability, 13(6), 3210.
Dee, T. S., & West, M. R. (2011). The Non-Cognitive Returns to Class Size. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 33(1), 23–46. https://doi.org/10.3102/0162373710392370
Delors, J. (1996). Learning: The treasure within. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from www.unesco.org/delors
Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and Education. New York: Macmillan Company.
Ekoto, C. E., & Gaikwad, P. (2015). The impact of andragogy on learning satisfaction of graduate students. American Journal of Educational Research, 3(11), 1378-1386. https://doi.org/10.12691/education-3-11-6
Gocer, A. (2016). An Important Stage of Life-Long Learning: Adult Literacy and Benefits (Sampling of Kayseri in Turkey). Education and Science, 41(183), 199–216. https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2016.4600
Goddu, K. (2012). Meeting the Challenge: Teaching Strategies for Adult Learners. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 48(4), 169-173.
Hanemann, U. (2015). Lifelong literacy: Some trends and issues in conceptualising and operationalising literacy from a life-long learning perspective. Int Rev Educ, 61, 295-326.
Hayat, M. S., Rustaman, N. Y., Rahmat, A., & Redjeki, S. (2019a). Profile of life-long learning of prospective teacher in learning biology. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1157, No. 2, p. 022083). IOP Publishing.
Henschke, J. A. (2016). A history of andragogy and its documents as they pertain to adult basic and literacy education. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 25, 1-28. Retrieved from https://www.iup.edu/ace/paace/v25-2016/
Horning. A.S. (2007). Reading Across the Curriculum as the Key to Student Success. Oakland University.
ILO. (2019). Lifelong learning: concepts , issues and actions.
Ingham, H., Ingham, M., & Afonso, J. A. (2017). Participation in lifelong learning in Portugal and the UK. Education Economics, 25(3), 266-289.
Institute of Education Sciences. (2021). Adult Education Strategies: Identifying and Building Evidence of Effectiveness.
Jarvis, P. (2018). Learning to be a person in society. In K. Illeris (Ed.), Contemporary theories of learning (2nd ed., pp. 2-28). New York, NY: Routledge.
Karge, B. D., Phillips, K. M., Jessee, T., & McCabe, M. (2011). Effective Strategies for Engaging Adult Learners. Journal of College Teaching & Learning, 8(12), 53-56.
Knowles, M. (1973). 13 The Adult Learner: A Neglected Species. American Society for Training and Development.
Kolb, D.A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Kumar, R. (2011). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
LeNoue, M., Hall, T., & Eighmy, M. A. (2011). Adult Education and the Social Media Revolution. Adult Learning, 22(2), 4-12.
Marzano, R. J., Pickering, D., & McTighe, J. (1994). Assessing Student Outcomes: Performance Assessment Using the Dimension of Learning Model. Alexandria Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Mashininga, K. (2019, March 6). Job survey shows need for debate on graduate quality. University World News.
Merriam, S. B. (2017). Adult learning theory: Evolution and future directions. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 26, 21-37. Retrieved from https://www.iup.edu/ace/paace/v26-2017
Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2014). Adult learning: Linking theory and practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Mystakidis, S., Berki, E., & Valtanen, J. (2019). The Patras Blended Strategy Model for Deep and Meaningful Learning in Quality Life-Long Distance Education. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 17(2), 66–78. https://doi.org/10.34190/JEL.17.2.01
Piaget, J. (1972). The Psychology of the Child. New York: Basic Books.
Rachal, J. (2015). Reflections on the Lindeman legacy. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 24, 1-6. Retrieved from https://www.iup.edu/ace/paace/v24-2015
Rasmussen, C. (2015, June). Adults as learners: Effective teaching strategies. In Workforce Solutions Conference. University of Minnesota.
Regmi, K. D. (2015). Life-long learning: Foundational models, underlying assumptions and critiques. Int Rev Educ., 61(2), 133–151.
Rubenson, K. (2019). Assessing the status of lifelong learning : Issues with composite indexes and surveys on participation. International Review of Education, 65(2), 295–317. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-019-09768-3
Rutherford-Hemming, T. (2012). Simulation Methodology in Nursing Education and Adult Learning Theory. Adult Learning, 23(3), 129-137.
Silverman, D. (2013). Doing Qualitative Research (4th ed., K. Metzler, Ed.). SAGE Publications.
Sinel, T. (2011). Lifelong Learning Matters. VIPdesk Blog, Washington. Retrieved July 3, 2022, from http://blog.vipdesk.com/2011/04/04/lifelong-learning-matters/
Tight, M. (2003). Key Concepts in Adult Education and Training. Florence, Ky.: Routledge. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com/lib/oculryerson/docDetail.action?docID=10100967&p00
Trafford, V., & Leshem, S. (2008). Stepping Stones to Achieving Your Doctorate by Focusing on Your Viva from the Start. In Open UP study skills.
UNESCO. (2009). UNESCO World Conference on Sustainable Development: Bonn Declaration 2009. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001887/188799e.pdf
Wang, M., Yuan, D., & Weidlich, M. (2017). Do the demands of the global forces shape local agenda? An analysis of lifelong learning policies and practice in China. Asia Pacific Education Review, 18, 219-226.
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis (2nd ed.). Harper and Row, New York.
Yazici, A. (2015). Challenges and barriers in implementing lifelong learning in developing countries. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 6(3).
Published
2024-03-04
How to Cite
Simon, C., Chinyamunjiko, N., Chalton, N., Peter, B., Masinire, S., & Manhiwa, E. T. (2024). Adult Learning Strategies Used in Higher Education Institutions in Zimbabwe for Lifelong Learning in the Accounting Field. European Journal of Science, Innovation and Technology, 4(1), 358-374. Retrieved from https://ejsit-journal.com/index.php/ejsit/article/view/388
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Copyright (c) 2024 Chosani Simon, Newton Chinyamunjiko, Nyakurimwa Chalton, Bhibhi Peter, Sharon Masinire, Esnath T. Manhiwa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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