Overview
After completing this course, you should be able to
- critically discuss the foundations of adult education.
- describe the dominant theoretical perspectives in adult education and relate them to practice.
- identify and discuss the key social, economic, political, and technological issues that currently affect adult education.
- analyze an adult education issue using an integrated approach.
- discuss how adult education theory relates to distance education.
- express an informed, critical perspective on the purpose of Canadian adult education in a global context
Outline
To help you attain these goals, the course has been designed around seven units:
- Unit 1: Exploring the Foundations of Adult Education
- Unit 2: Understanding the Social Aspect of Adult Education
- Unit 3: Education for Economy
- Unit 4: Education for Transformation
- Unit 5: Education for Diversity
- Unit 6: Education at a Distance: Online and Open
- Unit 7: Canadian Adult Education in a Global Context
Evaluation
To receive credit for EDUC 309, you must complete all of the assignments, and achieve at least D (50 percent) on each. The weighting of the course assignments is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Chapter Review | 25% |
| Assignment 2: Two Short Essays | 20% |
| Assignment 3: Education Program Critique | 20% |
| Assignment 4: Essay | 30% |
| Course Participation: Tutor Contact* | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
*Note: Five per cent of the final grade is based on your participation in the course. You can earn this five per cent by emailing your tutor at the completion of your last assignment and sending a 2–3 paragraph email on how adult ed might address future issues of engagement in society. Mark this email as PARTICIPATION Grade.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Spencer, B., & Lange, E. (2014). The purposes of adult education: An introduction (3rd ed.). Toronto, ON: Thompson Educational Publishing. (Digital version with code)
Nesbit, T., Brigham, S. M., Taber, N., & Gibb, T. (Eds.). (2013). Building on critical traditions: Adult education and learning in Canada. Toronto, ON: Thompson Educational Publishing. (Digital version with code)
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Lotz, J., & Welton, M. R. (1997). Father Jimmy: The life and times of Jimmy Tompkins. Wreck Cove, Cape Breton Island, NS: Breton Books.
Other Materials
All other course materials can be accessed online via the course website