Learning in Adulthood: A Comprehensive Guide / Edition 3

by Sharan B. Merriam, Rosemary S. Caffarella, Lisa M. Baumgartner

Overview

Since it was first published in 1991, Learning in Adulthood has been lauded as the most authoritative and comprehensive guide to adult learning. The revised and expanded third edition reflects the latest research and practice in adult learning, making it an essential resource for the field.

In this updated landmark book, the authors have gathered the seminal work and most current thinking on adult learning into one volume. Learning in Adulthood addresses a wide range of topics including: Who are adult learners? How do adults learn? Why are adults involved in learning activities? How does the social context shape the learning that adults are engaged in? How does aging affect learning ability?

Drawing from a background of work in sociology, philosophy, and critical social theory as well as psychology and education, the authors construct an inclusive perspective on adult learning, guiding readers toward new ways of thinking about teaching, learning, and the broader social implications of adult education.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787975883
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	10/27/2006
Series:	CourseSmart Series
Edition description:	Revised Edition
Pages:	560
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.90(d)

About the Author

SHARAN B. MERRIAM is Professor Emerita of Adult Education and Qualitative Research at The University of Georgia in Athens, GA. Merriam's research and writing activities have focused on adult and lifelong learning and qualitative research methods. She has published 33 books and over 100 journal articles and book chapters. She is a four-time winner of the prestigious Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education.

LISA M. BAUMGARTNER is an Associate Professor at Texas State University, San Marcos, TX. Her research and writing focus on adult learning and development in marginalized populations. She was co-editor of Adult Education Quarterly from 2011-2014. In 2019, she received a Circle of 50 Award from the Learning, Leadership, and Organizational Development Program at the University of Georgia. Awardees are seen as having made an impact on the research and practice of adult education, learning, leadership, and organizational development.

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Table of Contents

THE CONTEXT OF PROVISION OF ADULT LEARNING.
Adult Learning and Contemporary Society.
Learning Opportunities in Adulthood.
Participation in Adult Education.
Providing Learning Opportunities.
ADULT DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING.
Biological and Psychological Development.
Sociocultural and Integrative Perspectives on Development.
Cognitive Development in Adulthood.
Intelligence and Aging.
THE LEARNING PROCESS.
Memory, Cognition, and the Brain.
Experience and Learning.
Key Theories of Learning.
THE LEARNING TRANSACTION WITH ADULTS.
Andragogy and Other Models of Adult Learning.
Self-Directed Learning.
Transformational Learning.
Critical Theory, Postmodern, and Feminist Perspectives.
REFLECTIONS ON PRACTICE.
Ethics and Adult Learning.
Integrating Theory and Practice.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"For this third edition of Learning in Adulthood we have paid particular attention to work published since the last edition of the book. This third edition of Learning in Adulthood builds on material in the 1999 edition, bringing together the important contributions of the past decade to our understanding of adult learning. While we have preserved important foundational material (such as a discussion of andragogy), we have also brought to bear the most recent thinking and research. We have strived to put together a comprehensive overview and synthesis of what we know about adult learning: the context in which it takes place, who the participants are, what they learn and why, the nature of the learning process itself, new approaches to adult learning, the development of theory in adult learning, and other issues relevant to understanding adult learning."
—From the Preface

Previous praise for Learning in Adulthood

"An essential volume in adult education."
—Choice

"This book is extremely useful in that it provides an informed overview of issues related to adult learning. It is very readable, yet packs considerable challenge for the more experienced adult educator."
—Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education

"Learning in Adulthood's greatest strengths are its coverage of the learning context, theory-building within adult learning, and how social and ethical issues offer special challenges to adult learning. It will be useful to both experienced and novice continuing educators, as well as laypersons."
—Continuing Higher Education Review

Editorial Reviews

"Such an important and complete guide on the subject of adult learning that it is now in its second edition. Merriam and Caffarella have done a monument work of pulling together the current research and thinking on adult learning." (ForeThought)

"Merriam and Caffarella provide an excellent resource whose value will last until the appearance of the third edition." (Continuing Higher Education Review)

"An essential volume in adult education." (Choice, (praise from 1st edition))

"[Learning in Adulthood's] greatest strengths are its coverage of the learning context, theory-building within adult learning, and how social and ethical issues offer special challenges to adult learning. . . . [It] will be useful to both experienced and novice continuing educators, as well as laypersons." (Continuing Higher Education Review, (praise from 1st edition))

"This book is extremely useful in that it provides an informed overview of issues related to adult learning. It is very readable, yet packs considerable challenge for the more experienced adult educator." (Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education, (praise from 1st edition))

From the Publisher