Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.5392/JKCA.2010.10.8.433

Lived Experience of Older Learners in an Online University  

Lee, Eun-Joo (서울사이버대학교 인간복지학부)
Publication Information
The Journal of the Korea Contents Association / v.10, no.8, 2010 , pp. 433-450 More about this Journal
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to describe and understand the lived experiences of older learners in formal education offered in an online university. Applying qualitative research methods, this paper attempts to explore the interpretation and meanings of their college studying. Ten participants in this study were selected from older students aged over 60 who had studied or were studying in a cyber university and lived in Seoul and its metropolitan area for more readily accessible and available for in-depth interviews. After the final analysis of learning experiences of older adults in an online university, six main themes were identified: self in the past, breaking from the convention, struggling with the new challenges, attaining self-actualization, integrating a new identity, future-oriented self. Finally it appears that learning experiences of the learners enabled the participants to replace their past-oriented sense of self with a more positive, future-oriented version.
Keywords
Lifelong Education; Older Learner; Online Learning; Online University;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 A. M. Williamsons and W. J. Monteplare, "Aging with a Preexisting Disability: Developing a Bibliography and Curriculum Guide for Health and Social Science Education," Educational Gerontology, Vol.23, pp.567-579.   DOI   ScienceOn
2 J. W. Creswell. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Traditions, Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
3 A. Principi and G. Lamura, Education for Older People in Italy, Educational Gerontology Vol.35, pp.246-259, 2009.   DOI   ScienceOn
4 M. Z. Cohen and A. Omery, "Schools of Phenomenology: Implications for Research." In J. M. Morse(Ed.) Critical Issues in Qualitative Research Methods. pp.136-156, 1994.
5 W. Outhwaite, Understanding Social Life: The Methods Called Verstehen. London: Geore Allen & Unwin. 1975.
6 F. Maggs-Rapport, "Best Research Practice: In Pursuit of Methodological Rigour," J of Advanced Nursing, Vol.35, No.3, pp.373-83, 2001.   DOI   ScienceOn
7 H. Russell, The Lived Experience of Laterlife Computer Learners, (Doctoral Dissertation. University of Technology, Sydney, 2005).
8 A. T. McMahon, "Needs for New Emphases in Social and Educational Policy," Educational Gerontology, Vol.4, No.2, pp.101-113, 1979.   DOI   ScienceOn
9 H. Russell, The Lived Experience of Laterlife Computer Learners, Doctoral Dissertation. University of Technology, Sydney, 2005.
10 H. Russell, "Later life: A Time to Learn," Educational Gerontology, Vol.34, pp.206-224, 2008.   DOI   ScienceOn
11 H. Russell, "Later life: A Time to Learn," Educational Gerontology, Vol.34, pp.206-224, 2008.   DOI   ScienceOn
12 P. Jarvis, Learning in Laterlife: An Introduction for Educators & Carers. London: Kogan Page. 2001b.
13 H. Y. McClusky, "Education for Aging: The Scope of the Field and Perspectives for the Future," In S. M. Grabowski & W. D. Mason (Eds), Education for the aging. Syracuse, NY: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Education. 1974.
14 S. Hori, "Problems and Perspectives on Lifelong Learning of the Elderly," Japanese J of Gerontology, Vol.22, No.1, pp.7-11, 2000.
15 S. Hori and M. Fujiwara, "Learning Needs and Activity Limitations of Elderly Japanese with Physical Disabilities, Educational Gerontology, Vol.29, pp.585-595, 2003.   DOI   ScienceOn
16 C. A. Londoner, "Survival Needs of the Aged: Implications for Program Planning," Aging and Human Development, Vol.1, pp.1-11, 1971.
17 E. Brady, "Patterns of Learning among the Active Elderly: The Case of Elderhostel," Activities, Adaptation & Aging, Vol.9, No.4, pp.66-77, 1987.
18 D. K. Gardner and E. Helmes, "Locus of Control and Self-Directed Learning as Predictors of Well-being in the Elderly," Australian Psychologist, Vol.34, No.2, pp.99-103, 1999.   DOI   ScienceOn
19 A. R. Herzog, M. M. Franks, H. R. Markus, and D. Holmberg, "Activities and Well being in Older Age: Effects of Self-Concept and Educational Attainment." Psychology and Aging, Vol.13, No.2, pp.179-185, 1998.   DOI   ScienceOn
20 R. P. Heimstra, "Continuing Education for the Aged: A Survey of Needs and Interests of Older People," Adult Education, Vol.22, pp.100-109, 1972.   DOI
21 B. Williamson, Lifeworlds and Learning: Essays in the Theory, Philosophy and Practice of Lifelong Learning. Leicester: NIACE. 1997.
22 P. Jarvis, "The Changing Educational Scene," In P. Jarvis (Ed), The Age of Learning: Education and the Knowledge Society, pp.27-38, London: Kogan Page. 2001a.
23 J. Hamil-Luker and P. Uhlenberg, "Later Life Education in the 1990s: Increasing Involvement and Continuing Disparity," J of Gerontology, Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences Vol.58, No.6, pp.S324-31, 2002.
24 H. Russell, The Lived Experience of Laterlife Computer Learners, (Doctoral Dissertation. University of Technology, Sydney, 2005).
25 H. Russell, The Lived Experience of Laterlife Computer Learners, (Doctoral Dissertation. University of Technology, Sydney, 2005). http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/210 0/304/2/02wholethesis.pdf
26 A. Revell and E. Wainwright, "What Makes Lectures Unmissable? Insights into Teaching Excellence and Active Learning," J of Geography in Higher Education Vol.33, pp.209-223, 2009.   DOI   ScienceOn
27 National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, Higher Education in the Learning Society, http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/ncihe/ 1997.
28 M. Scala, "Going Back to School: Participation Motives and Experiences of Older Adults in an Undergraduate Classroom," Educational Gerontology, Vol.22, pp.747-773, 1996.   DOI   ScienceOn
29 B. Williamson, Lifeworlds and Learning: Essays in the Theory, Philosophy and Practice of Lifelong Learning. Leicester: NIACE. 1997.
30 D. A. Peterson, Life Span Education and Gerontology. The Gerontologist, Vol.15, pp.436-441, 1975.   DOI   ScienceOn
31 E. P. Stanford, Education and aging: New Task for Education. Adult Leadership, Vol,20, pp.281-281, 1972.
32 H. Y. McClusky, "Education for Aging: The Scope of the Field and Perspectives for the Future," In S. M. Grabowski & W. D. Mason (Eds), Education for the aging. Syracuse, NY: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Education. 1974.
33 R. P. Heimstra, "Continuing Education for the Aged: A Survey of Needs and Interests of Older People," Adult Education, Vol.22, pp.100-109, 1972.   DOI
34 E. Brady, "Patterns of Learning among the Active Elderly: The Case of Elderhostel," Activities, Adaptation & Aging, Vol.9, No.4, pp.66-77, 1987.
35 C. A. Londoner, "Survival Needs of the Aged: Implications for Program Planning." Aging and Human Development, Vol.1, pp.1-11, 1971.
36 G. A. Myran, R. Huber, and S. M. Sweeney, Senior Citizen Services in Community Colleges. East Lansing, MI: Kellogg Community Service Leadership Program. 1971.
37 D. A. Peterson, Life Span Education and Gerontology. The Gerontologist, Vol.15, pp.436-441, 1975.   DOI   ScienceOn
38 S. Randell and R. Mason, "New Learning for Older Australians, or Just the Same Old Education?," Educational Gerontology, Vol.21, pp.385-400, 1995.   DOI   ScienceOn
39 P. Belanger and S. Valivielso, The Emergence of Learning Societies: Who Participates in Adult Learning. Oxford: Pergamon and UNESCO Institute for Education. 1997.
40 European Association for the Education of Adults. Adult Education Trends and Issues in Europe, 2006.
41 J. Birren and P. Woodruff, "Human Development over the Life Span through Education," In P. Baltes & W. Schaie (Eds.), Life-span Developmental Psychology. New York: Academic, 1973.
42 J. Jacobs and S. Stoner-Eby, Adult Enrollment and Educational Attainment. National Center for Postsecondary Improvement. Stanford University, Stanford, 1998.
43 K. Oliver, "Simultaneous Evolution of Learning Rules and Strategies," J of Economic Behavior & Organization. Vol.40, No.3, pp.295-312. 1999.   DOI   ScienceOn
44 P. Belanger and S. Valivielso, The Emergence of Learning Societies: Who Participates in Adult Learning. Oxford: Pergamon and UNESCO Institute for Education. 1997.