Applying Adult Education Principles to an Undergraduate Subject

Abstract

This chapter is a presentation of an adult educator’s experience in teaching computer mediated communication to undergraduate students. An “adult learner” profile is presented and compared to classroom experiences of undergraduate learners. The chapter discusses the application of adult education principles to the reshaping and new delivery and assessment of the subject. It outlines the fundamental changes wrought in the subject to meet adult education standards and approaches, including course program goals, learning outcomes, delivery format, method, and assessment activities. The specific methods applied and the student responses and some startling results are described and discussed. The account does not present a structured research project, and offers no empirical evidence, but is rather a presentation of an experience in “best practice,” applying adult education principles of authentic learning to an undergraduate class, and depicting results that challenge a need to research potential for change in undergraduate subject delivery.