'This is an impressive book that will be of wide interest to adult educators everywhere.Many of the book's contributors work at the University of Technology, Sydney - surely the world's pre-eminent institution for the study of adult learning, and the most open and generous location for debate. Its virtues are the book's.'
Alan Tuckett, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, UK
'I am happy to endorse this book enthusiastically as being appropriate for a North American audience of adult educators.Though it's an intentionally introductory survey, it never talks down to readers, never condescends. On the other hand, it's not so intenationally erudite that it collagpses into theoretical posturing; it stays firmly grounded in and connected to practice.'
Stephen Brookfield, University of St. Thomas, USA
Understanding Adult Education and Training offers a broad overview of the field for adult educators and workplace trainers. It introduces the keys issues, debates and theories in a way which is relevant to practice. Its aim is to deepen readers' understanding of adult learning and education so that they can be better practitioners.
Adult education is a diverse field so there is no single body of knowledge which is appropriate for all adult educators. Understanding Adult Education and Training introduces a wide range of formal theory from adult education and associated fields, and shows readers how they can use it their own circumstances.
The first edition of this book has become a standard reference for students and professionals in Australia. This edition is fully revised and updated for an international readership.
Contributors
Introduction
Part I The Foundations
Introduction to Part I
1 A framework for understanding adult learning and education Griff Foley
2 Understanding adult learners Philip Pogson + Mark Tennant
3 Teaching adults Griff Foley
4 Program development in adult education and training Michael Newman
5 Evaluating adult education and training James Athanasou
Part II Context and Change
Introduction to Part II
6 Research in adult education and training John McIntyre
7 Policy formation in adult education and training Griff Foley, Alastair Crombie, Geof Hawke + Roger Morris
8 Flexible learning for adults Richard Edwards + Katherine Nicoll
9 Reading the discources of adult basic education teaching Alison Lee + Rosie Wickert
Part III Workplace Change and Learning
Introduction to Part III
10 Organisational learning: basic concepts Laurie Field
Biography
Griff Foley is Associate Professor in Adult Education at the University of Technology, Sydney. He is author of Learning in Social Action (Zed, 1999).
