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Applying Adult Learning Theory to the Online Classroom
Author(s) -
Frey Barbara A.,
Alman Susan Webreck
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
new horizons in adult education and human resource development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1939-4225
DOI - 10.1002/nha3.10155
Subject(s) - theme (computing) , mathematics education , focus group , adult learning , focus (optics) , online course , psychology , learning theory , adult education , pedagogy , computer science , sociology , world wide web , physics , anthropology , optics
This study measured adult learners' satisfaction with the new online Master's Degree in Library and Information Science program at the University of Pittsburgh. Student feedback gathered through focus groups is categorized into five themes: (a) general program issues, (b) course issues, (c) communication/interaction issues, (d) on‐campus orientation issues, and (e) technology issues. The feedback is analyzed based on adult learning theory, and ten recommendations for future course development are suggested. Traditional adult learning theory offers valuable guidelines for online course development and teaching. However, interaction, a major theme in the focus groups, is not addressed in traditional adult learning theory.