Adult Learners in Higher Education - Research Paper Example

? Adult Learners in Higher The topic of adult learners in higher education has been given minimal attention by researchers over the years. However, the considerable increase in adults enrolling to higher institutions of learning calling for extensive research in this area. There are numerous factors resulting to this trend among adult learners. This research paper mainly concentrates on increase of adult student enrollment in college due to financial hardship caused by declining economics. This is following the projections made by various researches stating that the number of adult learners is likely to increase gradually in the near future. The paper employs quantitative research methods to show that there is a relationship between the growing numbers of adult learners and financial hardships owing to declining economics. Keywords: adult learner, future projections, financial hardships, economic decline Adult Learners in Higher Education Introduction The adult learning population has often been overlooked in past research. However, this population has grown significantly in the past decade causing much attention across the academic field. Adult learners can be classified as students who are 24 years and older (Kimmel, 2004). This is a diverse group with regards to age, transfer credits, degree type, income level, social status and family background (American council on Education, 2007). Powerful economic trends causing financial hardships have been known to be the main driving forces reshaping higher education for adult learners (American council on Education, 2007). Current studies project that these numbers are likely to grow in future. In fact, enrolment among adult students is expected to rise by 9% for students aged 25- 34 and by 16% for students older than 34 between 2009- 2010 (Levitz, 2011). Statement of the Problem The paper delves into the matter of adult learning in higher education and how financial hardships result to an increase in this trend. Even though substantial research has been done concerning adults’ interest and participation in continued learning, limited research has focused on the increased demand for adult higher learning and how it is affected by declining economics. Purpose The study will be designed and conducted to show the link between the current economic decline and the demand for higher education for adults. The research is to serves as a lens to different stakeholders in the education sector and learning institutions by showing the relationship between the economic decline and increased demand of higher education by adults. Review of Literature As earlier explained, minimal research has been with in this area however, there are several reputable studies that have been done in relation to this topic. A study done by the American council on Education reveals that the number of adult learners in colleges and universities is on the rise (American council on Education, 2007). It states that there are different sources of motivation behind lifelong learning. The study points out theta there is an increase in the older population (by 2030, 20 % of the US population will be composed of the older generation aged between 65 and older) thus, there is need to investigate the factors contributing to this trend (American council on Education, 2007). The current economic conditions have resulted to increased competition in the job market forcing the older people without the relevant skills and knowledge to go back to higher institutions of learning in a move to improve their competitiveness (American council on Education, 2007). A similar report conducted by the US Department of Labor in March 2007 investigates the issue of adult learners pursuing higher education (US Department of Labor, 2007). The report analyses factors contributing to higher education and points out the current decline in the global economy to be one of the most important (US Department of Labor, 2007). According to the report, this trend has been shaped by the worsening economic environment. This has led to downsizing among key employers as they want to retain a highly qualified work force that has the required academic credentials to survive in the competitive labor market (US Department of Labor, 2007). The report cites the increased demand for higher education to the changing workplaces that have been influence by economic decline. Research methodology Once the research topic has been agreed on, issues relating to this topic and the specific problems may be considered. The motivation and objectives are founded in this way. Following this, relevant literature is reviewed to establish past, present and future developments in this area. Information for this particular study is obtained from existing sources related to this area. These texts are from previous reports conducted by credible organizations, books and academic journals (Saunders et al., 2009). The data collection method to be used is surveying by distributing questionnaires manually to adult learners in chosen institutions of higher learning. Research Approach Various sources have been used to get a broad view of the data collection, purpose of the study and research strategy. There are two methods that are reflected on in choosing the research approach, the inductive approach and the deductive approach (Saunders et al., 2009). The inductive research approach will be taken in this particular research as it involves collection and analysis of data and development of theory. Additionally, it concentrates on the research setting and gives a comprehensive understanding o the meaning people give to events (McBride, 2010). This approach is suitable for social research since it gives a greater understanding of the social problem being studied. The study will be an empirical research that will employ a quantitative research design. Research Design The research will take a quantitative research design that will allow the researchers to quantity the responses given by the participants (Saunders et al., 2009). The researcher will access and quantify answers given by respondents towards the specific variable affecting demand for higher education by adult learners and hypothesis which will be later used to make comparisons and draw conclusions. Participants The data set will be composed of 1000 adult students from various institutions of higher learning. They will be first time degree seeking students aged 24 or older. The results obtained from this population will be used as a representation of characteristics shared by the entire adult population in higher institutions of learning. Materials or Apparatus The survey method through the use of data will be selected as the best method to collect data from the sample population. This will be done by formulating a number of questions to measure the relevant variables. The questions in the questionnaire will be structured in a simple way to get straight forward answers that are easily quantifiable and can be used to draw conclusions are make comparisons (Saunders et al., 2009). The main advantage of using this method is that it is economical to use and allows for anonymity of the participants (McBride, 2010). Sample Questionnaire 1. What is your gender? Male Female 2. What is your age? 24- 34 years 34- 55 years over 55 year 3. Do you have any dependants? Yes No 4. Why did you to pursue higher education as an adult? Personal interests Financial hardships To improve your career 5. What challenges do you face in pursuing higher education? (you can give more than one answer) Procedure After the questionnaire has been drafted, copies will be issue to various institutions of learning and distributed randomly amongst the participants. The response will be collected from the institutions on a weekly basis until they collect 1000 responses. The answers are then the result will be analyzed and comparisons will be made and the conclusions will be drawn. Expected Results The expected results from the study reveal that most of the adults pursuing higher level by the increasing financial hardships. It will be found that educational attainment impacts on the income level. It is expected that those with a higher diploma or degree earn more than those who have not pursued any form of higher learning. In fact individuals’ income is expected to drop constantly after they reach the age of 65 years (American council on Education, 2007). This shows why adults are increasingly pursing higher education. Adult students who failed to pursue higher education in their younger years attributed this to a number of factors related to economic challenges in the modern world (US Department of Labor, 2007). Some of them had dependants at an early age and could not afford to pay for the educational courses. According to recent projections by the US Department of Education, the number of adult learners pursuing higher education is expected to rise significantly by 2020 as shown in the graph below (Levitz, 2011). The major factor that can be attributed to this trend is the financial hardship is caused by the financial decline. (Levitz, 2011) Discussion Summary This paper has examined the issue of adult learning and how its popularity has been driven by financial hardships in the present times. There has been minimal research in this area which makes it difficult to get adequate information. On the other hand, several studies have been done with regards to increased demand for higher education in the recent past and this trend is likely to continue in future. Based on the findings of the research it was found that a substantial number of respondents cited the present financial hardships have pushed adults to pursue higher education in order to attain a higher income level and gain increased competitiveness in the job market. The changes in the global economy have imposed a premium on an educated, knowledgeable and highly skilled workforce (US Department of Labor, 2007). The current service economy demands higher levels of technical and academic skills, problem solving abilities and excellent communication skills. The volatile global is characterized by financial hardships leading to frequent career and job changes as people strive to increase their income to live up to the high standards of living. At the start of the 20th century, well established companies in the US downsized their workforce (US Department of Labor, 2007). To adapt in such a dynamic work environment, workers need to learn new skills continuously in order to fit in the constantly changing job roles. Higher education is critical to the adult learners that are interested in obtaining a better wages and an improved quality of life in the present economically volatile environment. In previous generations, a General Education Degree (GED) provided a suitable living wage (US Department of Labor, 2007). However, this has changed drastically in the past few years due the increasing financial hardships. Future predictions how that only 37% of those with less than a high school diploma will be participating in the labor market relative to 60% of the people with a high school diploma will be competing and over 80 % of those with an associate degree or better will be competing (US Department of Labor, 2007). In addition to, the value of a higher learning credentials for future employment and earnings are expected to rise in the years to come. For instance, three job classes that are highly competitive all require post secondary qualifications and will be paying a median salary of $29000 (Hecker, 2005). Implications Increased demand by adults for post secondary education has implications on various aspects of society. First, it will result to increased demand of higher education as it is seen as a way of increasing one’s income level in the modern times that are characterized by economic decline (US Department of Labor, 2007). Furthermore, it will lead increased demand of funding options by adult learners. This trend is likely to influence future demand for higher education. According to current projections, the number of adult students enrolling in higher institutions of learning is likely to increase gradually as the economic status worsens. Impact on Society This trend affects society in various ways. First, it results to increased competitiveness in the job market. Secondly, if adults acquire better education they are able to get an increased income and better career options hence an improved standard of living (US Department of Labor, 2007). Additionally, it increases the overall demand for higher learning as more people from other generations are interested to pursue it. Potential Limitations There are several limitations that can be anticipated while conducting this research. To start with, minimal research has been conducted on this topic and it is going to be difficult to obtain data relating to this topic. Secondly, there will confinement of time since the study will be conducted in one semester which is not an ample time period to make comparisons and draw conclusions. The limited time window will restrict the study to go to the bottom of the situation in the education sphere (McBride, 2010). In addition to, the sample space will not be representative enough of such a huge population. There will be ethical issues regarding confidentiality as the participants may not be willing to reveal their personal information such as their family background, present education level, future career ambitions and their current financial status (McBride, 2010). The general recommendations for this particular study are to involve a larger sample size and take a longer time while conducting the research. Limitation Originating from Ethics Since the topic touches on a high number of key players not only those in the educational sector but also those in the Department of Labor and the government, it would be advisable to interview them. However, this seems to be a major challenge as it would be difficult to interview high profile employers and government officials (McBride, 2010). Areas for Further Research As earlier expressed, this far has been limited regarding this topic. Future research can build on the findings of previous studies that have been conducted in related spheres. Survey research should be done by use of more detailed information and comprehensive older students’ interview to draw attention to the relation between increased demand for adult higher learning and declining economics. The findings from this research will be forwarded to the relevant stakeholders in the education field and to the US Department of Labor (US Department of Labor, 2007). The government would also be interested in the findings of this study as they can be used in policy formulation in the education sector. References American Council on Education. (2007). Reinvesting in third age: Older Adults and higher education. Retrieved from http://plus50.aacc.nche.edu/documents/Reinvestingfinal.pdf Hecker, D. (2005). Occupational employment projections to 2014. Monthly Labor Review Online, Bureau of Labor statistics, 128(11), 70- 101. Kimmel, S. B., Gaylor, K. P., Grubbs, M. R. & Hayes, J. B. (2004). Good times to hard times: An Examination of adult learners' enrollment from 2004-2010. Levitz, N. (2011, October 11). New government projections forecast dramatic growth in college students 25 and older. Retrieved from http://blog.noellevitz.com/2011/10/11/government-projections-forecast-dramatic-growth-college-students-25-older/ McBride, D. M. (2010). The process of research in psychology. SAGE. Saunders, M. N., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students. Financial Times/ Prentice Hall. US Department of Labor. (2007). Adult learners in higher education: Barriers to success and strategies to improve results. Retrieved fromhttp://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/Adult%20Learners%20in%20Higher%20Education%20%20Barriers%20to%20Success%20and%20Strategies%20to%20Improve%20Results.pdf Read More