Gamification in Adult Learning

Various methods and technological tools have been utilized to meet the unique needs of adult learners. One of the recent methods is gamification, in which game elements and mechanics were utilized within a non-gaming context. This chapter reviews the literature and presents an overview of gamification implementations to develop systematic understanding of how gamification can be integrated into the adult learning process. An electronic search of articles from 2009 to 2019 was conducted, and 23 studies were reviewed in detail. The study shows gamification has mainly been utilized within the workplace environment and in the health education. The principle investigated constructs were satisfaction, motivation, engagement, and knowledge acquisition. Although the reviewed papers reported promising results in terms of utilizing gamification for adult learning, further research is needed.

Leveraging Learner Experience

This chapter builds on the pedagogical knowledge base of educators who work with refugee-background adult language learners. The chapter introduces refugee-background adults who have experienced interruptions in their formal education. The authors present a framework for pedagogical scaffolding that emerges from a sociocultural perspective on learning. An overview of research underscores the benefits of recognizing and building upon learners' strengths, lived experiences, and oral traditions. Classroom-based approaches that integrate pedagogical scaffolding into meaningful learning opportunities to enhance the language and literacy practices of adult learners are highlighted. The chapter sustains innovation and conversation among educators working with refugee-background adults, ideally in collaboration with the learners themselves, to cultivate pedagogical practices that foster learner success in the classroom and beyond.

Putting Paint to Canvas

The purpose of this chapter is to inform the readers about how to artfully design seamless instruction for adult learners. The authors approached this concept by drawing a connection between the processes of making beautiful art and designing instruction geared toward adult learners. The authors identified several aspects of adult learning theory applied to the following instructional strategies: clear learning objectives, differentiated instruction, formative and summative assessment, and use of descriptive feedback. The authors provided several examples of these instructional strategies intended to support adult learners.

Utilizing Digital Educational Games to Enhance Adult Learning

As adult educators, we strive to facilitate learning using a variety of teaching strategies that engage learners. Learning by doing is a powerful method that combines both application and practice to address the needs and motivations of adult learners. Digital educational games provide one type of an engaging instructional strategy for adult learners that can be delivered in both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. Digital educational games are not something new, however, as they were developed soon after the first computer games (Wolfe & Crookall, 1998). Additionally, game-based educating has been used in many adult learning contexts, including the corporate environment to train staff in financial and economic skills, and in the military system for combat and strategy training (Whitton & Hollins, 2008). Despite these successful applications, there is a lack of recognition of digital educational games as a significant instructional method for the adult learner (Connolly, Boyle, MacArthur, Hainey, & Boyle, 2012; Gros, 2007). In this chapter, we review the research literature on adult learning via games in terms of learner motivation and engagement, specifically focusing on adult learning in the online environment. We will define key terms and essential characteristics of educational games, share best practices for developing and designing engaging educational games as an instructional strategy, and discuss the types of learning outcomes that can be achieved through the use of effective educational games, concentrating on adult learners in the online environment.

Examining the Adult Learning in “Giving Back” Initiatives

Service-learning has been identified as a high-impact, experiential teaching practice by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. This chapter examines how service-learning (SL) initiatives at one public institution of higher education allowed students opportunities to give back to their community while gaining valuable adult learning experiences. Three cases are presented describing how graduate and undergraduate students (N=229) enrolled in one of four courses (Political Science, Special Education, Early Elementary Education, and Business) incorporated a service-learning component for relevant and purposeful adult learning outcomes. Following the presentation of each of these cases of service-learning, a cross-case analysis and key terms and definitions are offered.

College Faculty as Adult Learners

The author discusses an ongoing study that focuses on one particular construct—personal and professional reflection—as a means toward growth and change for faculty and the institutions in which they serve. To best set the context of why continued growth and change is critical and necessary, it is helpful to provide a concise overview of five pressures that are faced by universities and faculty, in particular, in the current contexts in which they function. The author revisits, at the end of this chapter, a disposition and enhanced capacity to be reflective, individually and collectively, to provide a heightened strength to withstand and mitigate these pressures and to envision a path through this gauntlet that ensures universities and the faculty within them a continued role in societal leadership.

Adult Literacy Programme for Poverty Reduction

Citizens who lack basic skills and knowledge end up with unemployment or low-paying jobs. This leads to existence in poverty and a lack of opportunity to even voice. Low literacy levels affect economic development, diminish citizen participation and contribution, and are burdensome on nations. To address the issue, many nations consider, adopt, and support adult literacy programmes (ALP). Namibia is no exception. Hence, in 2003, the Adult Literacy Programme was initiated and is still actively engaging the targeted community members for acquiring basic skills and knowledge, thereby reducing poverty. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess ALP's success in poverty reduction as a citizenry approach. Based on the transformational learning theory and the capability approach, the qualitative research method is adopted, and data collection is done with structured interviews using a purposive sampling technique. Findings reflect ALP has enhanced the lives of participants and, therefore forms part of the measures to inhibit several social-related evils that cause poverty.

Challenges, Issues, and Trends in Adult Education

This chapter explores how adults think, learn, and apply knowledge in their daily lives to effectively design a curriculum, create activities, and integrate valuable technology into the course design. The chapter summarizes adult learning theories, including self-directed, transformative, and experiential learning, as well as the concept of andragogy. Instructors are provided with practical tools and methodologies which will help them to produce effective adult learning experiences.

Blockchain Technology as a Bridging Infrastructure Among Formal, Non-Formal, and Informal Learning Processes

Blockchain is an online decentralized and distributed ledger technology that has the ability to keep and track records in a safe, verifiable, and transparent manner. More significantly, it has an infrastructure that is compatible with Web 3.0, which offers great potential for lifelong learning. This chapter explains the different modalities of learning (formal, non-formal, informal), blockchain technology, and its current use in educational processes. Based on the findings, the authors suggest that blockchain technology can be used to connect and interlink different educational experiences that occur in different educational modalities, enabling us to evaluate educational processes holistically and thus promote lifelong learning through the use of cutting-edge technologies.

Equivalency Programmes Through Open and Distance Learning

This chapter outlines the beginnings of equivalency programmes in India through the Open Basic Education programme, which was initiated by National Institute of Open Schooling(NIOS) and supported by the National Literacy Mission. An equivalency programme is an alternative educational programme equivalent to existing formal general or vocational education. The chapter traces the genesis of the Open Basic Education programme and shows how the growth of adult literacy in India led to a demand for equivalent education for neo-literates. The open and distance learning system with its inherent flexibilities became the appropriate vehicle for equivalency programmes. This chapter describes the concept of equivalency, its international context in the developing world and its relevance for out of school adults. The author outlines the design and development of the curriculum, course materials as well as the process of examination and certification. The chapter describes the close partnership between different stakeholders leading to its successful implementation in India.