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Anatomy of Adults' Learning Experiences

Frederick Milacci, Liberty University
Ian Baptiste, The Pennsylvania State University
Kristine Lalley, The Pennsylvania State University
Honoratha Mushi, The Pennsylvania State University

Article comments

Paper presented at the 50th Annual American Association of Adult and Continuing Education Conference, Baltimore, MD, Oct. 17-20, 2001.

Abstract

In this study, 4 researchers conduct phenomenological interviews to find out how adults describe their learning experiences and what meanings they attach to those descriptions. The study proposes common structural and functional features of adults' learning experiences, while noting important substantive differences between and among the participants interviewed. The study also raises questions concerning the differences between experiences in general and learning experiences in particular; between learning and performance; and it questions the meaning and validity of the construct, group learning. It also draws several implications regarding the teaching of adults. Lastly, it proposes a way to reconcile he apparent chasm between the two dominant phenomenological schools: transcendental and existential phenomenology.

Suggested Citation

Frederick Milacci, Ian Baptiste, Kristine Lalley, and Honoratha Mushi. "Anatomy of Adults' Learning Experiences" 50th Annual American Association of Adult and Continuing Education Conference. Baltimore, MD. Oct. 2001.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/fred_milacci/7