Engaging Learners in Critical Analysis Through Concept Maps: From Theory to Practice

This paper addresses the use of concept maps to engage adult learners in critical analysis. The discussion is situated within four adult learning theories. Examples from different contexts using concept maps and connections between theories, learning process, locus of learning, teacher’s role, manifestation in adult education, and activities are presented

Examining Adult Learning Through the Lens of Culture: A U.S. Perspective

This paper examines adult learning within United States based journals through the lens of culture. Four thematic areas from the literature are highlighted. These themes include: critically examining one’s own and others’ cultural stories; utilizing sociocultural approaches to facilitate or guide adult learning; developing and maintaining dialog; and incorporating strategies to improve people’s cultural awareness and competency. Implications for practice are addressed throughout. A concluding discussion suggests areas for future research.Badanie kształcenia osób dorosłych w ujęciu kulturowym w perspektywie Stanów ZjednoczonychZagadnienia zawarte w prezentowanym artykule dotyczą analizy wykorzystania aspektów kulturowych w literaturze Stanów Zjednoczonych. Artykuł porusza i skupia się na czterech obszarach literatury. Dotyczą one oceny krytycznej historii kulturowych własnych i innych osób, wykorzystanie społeczno-kulturowych podejść używanych do ułatwienia lub naprowadzenia uczenia się dorosłych, rozwijanie i utrzymywanie dialogu, oraz wprowadzenie strategii w celu poprawy świadomości kulturowej i kompetencji ludzi. W artykule zawarto sugestie możliwych obszarów dla przyszłych badań

Emerging Inclusion and Diversity Policies in Military Learning Environments: Supporting Organizational Change and Breaking Down the Status Quo

Emerging inclusion and diversity policies within the US military require unique adult education approaches to break down the status quo, facilitate learning for social change, and strengthen force resiliency

Fostering Internationalization in Adult Education Graduate Programs in the United States: Opportunities for Growth

Internationalization is a key element of higher education missions to prepare learners for the global dimensions of their lives and work, which are increasingly integrated. In the United States, adult education graduate programs play a vital role in the wider educational landscape, particularly because of their interconnectedness with diverse disciplines and a working learner student population. Although student and scholar mobility remain important to fostering connections, adult education graduate programs can broaden the scope of internationalization aims. This paper proposes three main opportunities for internationalization growth within adult education graduate programs: incorporating intercultural literacy in formal curricula, emphasizing a continuing professional education approach, and integrating the formal – nonformal – informal education continuum in programs. Conceptualizing efforts within these opportunity sectors can spur innovation central to internationalization initiatives

Advancing Educators Towards Social Justice Through Policy Analysis

Both pre-service and practicing educators are entering classrooms with limited preparation for the social landscape, affecting a range of professional considerations such as educational equity, culturally responsive teaching, and effective assessment. In an effort to consider greater impact and meaningful development of teachers for social justice concepts, this study is aimed directly at K-2 Kansas classrooms. A review of KSDE policies, utilizing a critical policy discourse analysis, allowed for the consideration of plausible responses for educational change regarding the advancement of educators for social justice. This research demonstrates the opportunity that exists within policy to create greater awareness for social justice issues within schools, as well as the opportunity to develop more effective educators through operationalizing language to improve educational impact

The role of community benefits agreements for community development, social justice adult education, and program planning

The purpose of this roundtable is to facilitate discussion and debate about the role of community benefits agreements in community development, social justice education, and program planning within community development contexts

Exploring Adult Learners’ Knowledge Construction of Social Foundations Content: One Higher Education Context

This qualitative study explores adult learners’ knowledge construction of social foundations content within a Master of Adult Education program, broadening the understanding of the tenets of constructivist learning

The Righteous Among the Nations of the World: An Exploration of Free-Choice Learning

Citation: Yelich Biniecki, S. M., & Donley, S. (2016). The Righteous Among the Nations of the World: An Exploration of Free-Choice Learning. SAGE Open, 6(3). doi:10.1177/2158244016659319The purpose of this study was to explore how learners make meaning of their experiences at exhibits depicting narratives of the Polish Righteous Among the Nations of the World, free-choice learning contexts. The study focused on two exhibits at a university in the mid-Western United States. The conceptual framework of the study integrates free-choice learning, the role of narratives, reflection, and Holocaust education. Three main mechanisms emerged from the qualitative analysis and interpretation of data of how participants made meaning of their experiences: through emotions, being challenged, and broadening awareness. This study further informs our understanding of meaning making and learning in free-choice learning contexts, suggesting ways in which we might provide additional prompts to bridge historical distance and integrate connectors to learners’ personal contexts in international education exhibits. © 2016, © The Author(s) 2016

Using Concept Mapping as a Tool for Conducting Research: An Analysis of Three Approaches

Researchers in a variety of disciplines pursue creative ways to explore complex areas of inquiry. This literature review examines the use of concept maps as a unique tool for conducting research. This study embraces an inclusive definition of concept mapping. Three main approaches for conducting research using concept maps as a tool emerged: relational, cluster, and word frequency. These approaches are included in the different phases of research process such as data collection, analysis, and presentation. Each approach revealed strengths and limitations that researchers need to take into account. This discussion broadens the lens of the meaning of concept mapping as a tool for innovative research approaches

Social Justice Adult EducationComparative Perspectives from Poland and the United States

This paper examines and compares how social justice adult education currently is situated within two nation statesPoland and United States. Vocabulary, conceptual frameworks, and several themes are compared. The discussion broadens our understanding of how social justice education is positioned within two, complex socio-cultural contexts and suggests implications for practice