Applied Black Studies: Adult Education in the Black Community--A Case Study

Purpose Programmes and courses integrating learning and work, captured generally in this paper as work integrated learning (WIL), usually provide flexible and innovative learning opportunities. In a digital age, information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be vital in delivering and enhancing such hybrid forms of WIL. The purpose of this paper is to explore the correlation and trajectory of ICT use among priests in the Church of England in the various forms of WIL. Design/methodology/approach The case study explores ICT use among a sample of Church of England priests by examining initially their use of virtual learning environments (VLEs) such as Blackboard and Moodle in work-based learning (WBL); and assessing the trajectory and correlation to work-related learning (WRL) through their use of social networking/engagement tools such as Facebook and Twitter in continuing professional development courses (CPD). The correlation and trajectory is provided through a document analysis of VLE access and a survey questionnaire. Findings Priests in WBL and priests engaged in WRL (i.e. CPD courses) revealed a correlation in the lack of ICT pervasiveness. With only a minority of priests engaging in further higher education (HE), the familiarity and use of ICT such as VLE platforms stagnated or declined. Correlated with social networking/engagement, priests overwhelmingly cited the “lack of time” as a reason not to engage with social media, however, ICT reluctance caused by fear was the trajectory resulting in a further lack of “ICT pervasiveness”. Research limitations/implications While results may be generalisable among Church of England priests and other faith communities internationally, due to its unique and distinctive parameters, it is not generalisable to the general mature student adult education population. Practical implications The case study highlighted that continued intentional familiarisation and use of ICT within the various forms of WIL programmes and courses among “non-digital natives” would enhance learning. Such learning in WIL would be beneficial for HE programmes addressing e-readiness as a priority. Social implications Specific to the sample case study, considering the importance of community engagement and WIL, this study highlights the challenges and changes required for improved social capital within the field of ICT and adult education. Originality/value No studies have considered the training and education of priests as a WIL case study of ICT “pervasiveness” and self-efficacy.

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A Case Study of Innovation Platforms for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Development

Advances in Educational Marketing, Administration, and Leadership - Cases on Leadership in Adult Education ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-8589-5.ch009 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 173-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Matthew L. S. Gboku ◽

Oitshepile M. Modise ◽

Jenneh F. Bebeley

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Adult Education ◽

Leadership Development ◽

Adult Learning ◽

Sierra Leone ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Agricultural Extension ◽

Leadership Roles ◽

Agricultural Technologies

Stakeholder organizations clearly need to have more than a symbolic role in IAR4D decision making. They are currently hindered by their lack of knowledge of leadership roles and capacity to implement the IAR4D. In this chapter, the authors have presented the use of the IAR4D in Sierra Leone with clear justification of how it fits into contemporary approaches and interventions at the national, regional and global levels. The chapter focuses on the “Dissemination of New Agricultural Technologies in Africa (DONATA)” project in Sierra Leone as a shining example of leadership development and adult learning in both formal and non-formal settings. The authors highlight current challenges of the use of innovation platforms through IARD and articulate implications of the case study for adult education, agricultural extension and non-formal training in agricultural research institutions. The chapter ends with recommendations for surmounting the current challenges of the case described.

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Justification Based on Rational Training

Socio-Cultural Impacts of Workplace E-Learning ◽

10.4018/978-1-61520-835-7.ch008 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 146-165

Author(s):

Karim A. Remtulla

Keyword(s):

Adult Education ◽

Adult Learners ◽

Sense Of Self ◽

Cultural Critique ◽

Learning Needs ◽

Exploratory Case Study ◽

E Learning ◽

Worker Identity ◽

And Training

This chapter produces a socio-cultural critique of the ‘rational training’ workplace e-learning scenario. In this workplace e-learning scenario, workplace e-learning for workplace adult education training is used to justify the workforce through standards, categories, and measures. The alienating effects that arise out of this rush towards technocentric rationalization of the workforce through workplace e-learning are also discussed. These are the unintended and paradoxically opposite outcomes to the effects actually anticipated. An exploratory case study problematizes the unquestioned acceptance of the technological artefacts of workplace e-learning within organizations as credible sources to provide a rationale to justify workforces within workplaces. This approach critiques the presumption of infallibility of the technological artefacts of workplace e-learning; considers the short-comings of the conceiving of workplace e-learning as ‘finished’; and, reveals the ‘underdetermined’ nature of workplace e-learning technological artefacts. Socio-cultural insensitivity from workplace e-learning, in this scenario, comes from the basic, unquestioned assumption that workers are essentially socially flawed and culturally inferior; accountable for overcoming their sociocultural flaws and inferiorities; and, need to be justified by workplace e-learning, through standards, categories, and measures, to meet the expectations of the infallible and commodified workplace. A workplace e-learning that is deployed to justify the workforce, through standardization, categorization, and measurement, all result in a workforce being alienated from: (a) each other (worker-worker alienation); (b) their work (worker-work alienation); and, (c) their personal identities and sense of self (worker-identity alienation). Social rationalization is not the means to social justice in the workplace when it comes to workplace adult education and training, workplace e-learning, and the diverse and multicultural learning needs of a global cohort of adult learners.

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