Adult learners in an online college class: combining efficiency and convenience of e-learning

Abstract

In view of the growing adult learner population in the USA, the traditional campus-based paradigm of higher education has been shifting towards more efficient innovative models that meet the needs of working adults. These particular needs include practical goals, increased motivation, high demands for quality, structure and organization of the learning process, limited time for study, flexibility and convenience, which imposes certain conditions on the instructional process. Among the many innovative approaches to adult higher education online learning seems to be attracting the most attention among both adult students and educational researchers. This calls for the discussion of instructional approaches and special pedagogy focused on adult learner.