When the COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education institutions to implement their programs in an online setting, different groups of students were influenced to different extents. In many cases, the main locus of learning moved to students' homes, and their learning experiences were suddenly contextualized in their residential situation and…

Certain environments are 'outside of all places, even though it may be possible to indicate their location in reality' (Foucault, Diacritics 16, 22-27, 1986, p. 24). Foucault calls such places 'heterotopias' and offers six principles to help define them. Here, we propose that Chinese adult higher education is a heterotopic space. Chinese adult…

This article examines the transition of adult learners from adult general education to a college program. The ethnographic inquiry methodology used for this research relies on Long's theoretical model which postulates three different levels of dimensions in adult education (1989) and on Bélanger's lifelong learning model (2011). On this…

This qualitative phenomenological study employs a phenomenological approach to investigate the lived experiences of veterans returning to higher education. It aims to explore and understand the experiences and difficulties faced by veterans as they reintegrate into college education. Thematic analysis is used to analyze qualitative data,…

Higher education institutions must recognize the responsibility to support online adult learners as members of a larger global community and technological advancements have made this a reality. COVID-19 restrictions to in-person learning highlighted the need for online learning platforms that promote the benefits of teacher presence, consider the…

Graduates must know how to navigate social, cultural, and global issues, using civil discourse to elevate understanding, bring concerns to light, and to find solutions to business, national and international challenges. Institutions of higher education continue to struggle with the diversity of students, faculty, and administration while…

This research study sought to examine the relationship between classroom culture, active learning strategies, and higher education success for adult learners. This mixed-method correlational and causal-comparative research design determined that adult learners have a readiness to learn and an increased need for the teaching to be centered around…

The aim of this study is to examine the variables that influence the learners' intention of using online learning platforms and usage behavior continuity to evaluate relationships between variables with a model proposal and to determine the predictive power of the model. Accordingly, a sustained technology acceptance model (STAM) was developed to…

Previous research is unequivocal regarding higher education's importance for regional or national development, and the local presence of highly educated individuals in a municipality is crucial for its prosperity and development. The study aim is to increase understanding of representational perceptions of future university students in rural areas…

Urbanisation and industrialisation have contributed to significant and detrimental changes in the earth's natural environments. The concept of social-ecological resilience can assist this problem, by integrating the consideration of human and ecological systems in decision-making. An implication is that built environment professionals must be…

This case study is an example of how a real-world ethnographic study can be adapted for online data collection during the coronavirus pandemic. The aim of the study was to explore the value of learning communities for adult learners in an adult campus at a tertiary college in the northwest of England. However, the study was disrupted by lockdowns…

The paper analyses how educators employed on non-permanent contracts in the non-compulsory education sector in Ireland have fared during the COVID-19 pandemic. These employees were starting from a low base in relation to the terms and conditions of their employment when their places of work dramatically pivoted online in March 2020. We argue the…

Opsimaths are a unique group of late learners among adult learners who qualify as Knowles' 'neglected species'. Opsimaths usually face more daunting challenges in their academic journey than other adult learners. In this study, we employ the [exploratory] phenomenological design to present the experiences of 15 opsimaths in Ghana who entered the…

The lived and collegiate experiences of adult learners, who are among the fastest growing student population in 21st century higher education, is the essence of this study. The study was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Fifteen baccalaureate level degree-seeking study participants consented to share their respective…

Since the beginning of the 21st century, higher education has changed drastically with instructional technology. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to investigate the perceived lived experiences among ten adult learners and how academic motivation influenced their learning in a technology-based learning environment. The…