Adult Education Course Descriptions
* Required Courses
→ EDACE 780: Introduction to Adult Education *
→ EDACE 790: Characteristics of the Adult Learner *
→ EDACE 830: Program Planning in Adult Education *
→ EDACE 818: Social Foundations of Adult Education *
→ EDACE 886: Quality Programs and Staff Management
→ EDACE 820: Principles of Teaching Adults
→ EDACE 865: Principles of Workplace Learning
→ EDACE 886: Developing Teams and Leaders in Adult Education
→ EDACE 886: Teaching Online in Adult Education
→ EDACE 847: Adult Learning and Motivation *
→ EDACE 937: Organization and Administration of Adult Education
→ EDCEP 816: Research Methods *
EDACE 780: Introduction to Adult Education *
3 credits. Introduction to Adult Education is a foundation course that acquaints the studet with the diverse and evolving field of adult education. It provides a systematic base for further studies in Adult Education. Five major topic areas will be emphasized: 1) adult education definitions, purposes, and organizational structures; 2) adult education as a field of practice; 3) the aims and facilitation of adult learning/teaching; 4) the historical, philosophical, and social contexts of adult education; and 5) present trends and issues. The broad purpose of this course is to have students explore the scope and significance of the field of adult education and its contributions to our present day learning society. The student should leave this course with the beginning perspective of how adult education emerged, how it is presently changing and how it interrelates with other fields and disciplines.
EDACE 790: Characteristics of the Adult Learner *
3 credits. This course examines the psychological physical, intellectual, and other characteristics effecting adults and their ability to learn. Adult development and learning theories, motivation, barriers to participation and the implications for the education of adults in a variety of learning situations will be discussed.
EDACE 830: Program Planning in Adult Education *
3 credits. This course is an examination of the basic situations in which adult education occurs and fundamental steps by which learning is made more effective in those situations. Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to compare different program planning models and analyze their strengths and weaknesses, analyze a program planning case study and apply the Interactive Model of Program Planning to organize the adult educational activity. Finally, students will examine and evaluate the problems and concepts inherent in planning adult educational activities.
EDACE 818: Social Foundations of Adult Education *
3 credits. This course is designed for adult and continuing education students and college or university personnel in sociology and related fields dealing with adults. It is based on the premise that learning is affected by society, government, and economics. Included is an in-depth examination of the relationship between adult education and culture.
EDACE 886: Quality Programs and Staff Management
3 credits. This course will explore some leadership and management skills critical to building a quality program. Students will identify their leadership and management skills and strengths, how to solve problems and delegate responsibility, how to deal with conflict and problem employees, how to deal with dysfunctional staff and teams, and what are some basic legal issues that need to be considered.
EDACE 820: Principles of Teaching Adults
3 credits. This course will explore the theory and practice of teaching adults. Collaborative and active learning techniques will be emphasized in face-to-face and online environments. Students will examine the strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate applications of a variety of methods to different adult education environments.
EDACE 886: Developing Teams and Leaders in Adult Education
3 credits. Adult education theory and adult learning principles are emerging as effective organizational tools to use when developing teams and leaders. This course will examine how teams and leaders can be developed using adult education theory and adult learning principles. Through this course, students will be able to analyze when it is appropriate to use these tools, their strengths, weaknesses and limitations. To compliment the course readings, students will be asked to share their professional experiences with team and leader development.
EDACE 886: Teaching Online in Adult Education
3 credits. Online learning and e-learning have become extremely popular with working adults. In this course, students will learn online adult learning theories, online pedagogy, current research and trends in e-education for the workplace and higher education. In addition, students will apply adult learning principles to the online format, build learning communities, and incorporate online activities including the use of Web 2.0 technologies to enhance adult learning.
EDACE 847: Adult Learning and Motivation *
3 credits. This course is an overview of significant learning and motivational theories and the educational implications for adult educators. Students will develop an awareness of what learning is and how it occurs, examine current and developing concepts on learning and motivation, and explore how adult learning is influenced by factors such as gender, race, and socioeconomic class.
EDACE 937: Organization and Administration of Adult Education
3 credits. A critical study of organizational procedures and administrative practices as related to the implementation and maintenance of an effective program in adult education.
EDCEP 816: Research Methods *
3 credits. This course will focus upon the fundamental principles and methods of social science research.
Additionally, it will provide an opportunity for students to become critical readers of research-based
literature in adult education through developing an understanding of the key aspects of quantitative, qualitative, and action-based analytical methods and research traditions.