'Globalization' has become a key shorthand for describing some of the important changes affecting daily life in all parts of the world. Adult educators and trainers are grappling with the impacts of changing social relations in the economic, political, social, cultural and environmental spheres. There is particular concern for the majority of people who are poor, live in rural areas or urban slums and are marginal to decision making in their societies. This book is a collection of critical reflections on adult education and training which have traditionally had strong demarcation lines between them. A wide range of education and training strategies in different sites of practice, including civil society organisations, the workplace, and state institutions, are explored in both theory and practice. Important examples are given of practices which are challenging the dominant relations where human capital is emphasised before human values.

Adopting a social action perspective, this book is an assessment of where adult education now stands in the world. It argues that the purposes and rationale of adult education need to be reconceptualised for it to become an effective agent of change.

"The book provides comprehensive coverage and definitions of the most important issues, concepts, trends and theories in adult education, adult ESL (English as a Second Language) and information communication technologies, offering an in-depth description of key terms and theories/concepts related to different areas, issues and trends in adult education worldwide"--Provided by publisher.

This volume comprises an edited selection of papers which were originally presented at the 9th International Conference of the History of Adult Education that was held in Leiden in September 2002. The theme of that conference and this volume addresses the key dynamics associated with the impact of globalisation upon both the historical and contemporary development of the organisation of adult learning. Following a general introduction to the key themes by the chief editor, the first section of the volume comprises a number of papers of a distinctly historical nature. The focus in this section is upon the development of organised adult learning as a major component of the European modernisation project from the Enlightenment period in the eighteenth century to the twentieth century. The second section examines contemporary developments and the emergence of new forms for the organisation of adult learning in the learning society. The emphasis here is upon those societal developments that contribute to the centrality of lifelong learning in current education and training policies. The third section comprises a number of country studies focused upon the dilemmas associated with the restructuring of national education and training policies. Issues of social inclusion and the risk of exclusion form the recurring theme of these country studies.

Whether it is earning a GED, a particular skill, or technical topic for a career, taking classes of interest, or even returning to begin a degree program or completing it, adult learning encompasses those beyond the traditional university age seeking out education. This type of education could be considered non-traditional as it goes beyond the typical educational path and develops learners that are self-initiated and focused on personal development in the form of gaining some sort of education. Essentially, it is a voluntary choice of learning throughout life for personal and professional development. While there is often a large focus towards K-12 and higher education, it is important that research also focuses on the developing trends, technologies, and techniques for providing adult education along with understanding lifelong learners’ choices, developments, and needs. The Research Anthology on Adult Education and the Development of Lifelong Learners focuses specifically on adult education and the best practices, services, and educational environments and methods for both the teaching and learning of adults. This spans further into the understanding of what it means to be a lifelong learner and how to develop adults who want to voluntarily contribute to their own development by enhancing their education level or knowledge of certain topics. This book is essential for teachers and professors, course instructors, business professionals, school administrators, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students interested in the latest advancements in adult education and lifelong learning.

In today’s globalized world, professional fields are continually transforming to keep pace with advancing methods of practice. The theory of adult learning, specifically, is a subject that has seen new innovations and insights with the advancement of online and blended learning. Examining new principles and characteristics in adult learning is imperative, as emerging technologies are rapidly shifting the standards of higher education. The Handbook of Research on Adult Learning in Higher Education is a collection of innovative research on the methods and applications of adult education in residential, online, and blended course delivery formats. This book will focus on the impact that culture, globalization, and emerging technology currently has on adult education. While highlighting topics including andragogical principles, professional development, and artificial intelligence, this book is ideally designed for teachers, program developers, instructional designers, technologists, educational practitioners, deans, researchers, higher education faculty, and students seeking current research on new methodologies in adult education.

This book demonstrates how processes of globalization (economic, cultural, socio-political) are creating new possibilities and inequities and are thereby creating corresponding roles for adult education and learning in the South (Africa, Asia, South America) that are embedded in multiple political, economic and cultural projects for social change.