Main Content
Syllabus
ADTED 542: Perspectives on Adult Learning Theory (3): Introduction to adult education learning theory, principles, and models of adult learning by adults alone, in groups, and in communities. Prerequisites: None
Overview | Objectives | Materials | Technical Requirements and Help | Course Requirements and Grading | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Policies | Student Success and Support Resources
Overview
This course examines the ways in which adults produce and use knowledge. The focus is thus theoretical, not instrumental. This course is not a survey of all adult learning theories. While students are exposed to traditional adult learning theories, the emphasis will be on more contemporary interactional theories. In conducting this inquiry, we will return our attention repeatedly to the following questions:
- What are some of the major definitions of adult learning, and what are the relationships between and among these definitions?
- What is the empirical evidence upon which each definition rests?
- What conceptions and practices of adult education does each definition of adult learning promote or impede?
- To which definitions of adult learning do you subscribe (if any), and why? (Implicit in this last question is the assumption that alternatives to adult learning theory may be of greater use.)
To help us address these questions, we will conduct a brief review of traditional learning theories: behaviorism, andragogy, and self-directed learning. These three theories provide foundations for our more in-depth scrutiny of transformative learning, situated learning, embodied learning, and learning conceptualized within the traditions of social interaction theory and cultural historical activity theory (CHAT).
One premise of this course reflects Sawchuk's (2003) observation that learning occurs on more than one level: social interactions and individual higher cognitive functions. According to Sawchuk, "learning is defined by processes of mediated action and social participation rather than merely cognition” (p. 293). While we recognize the importance of cognition in learning, the focus of this course will be on learning as a process of mediated action and social participation.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to do the following things:
- Describe the major theories of adult learning, their historical development, and the ways in which they relate to one another.
- Discuss the importance of learning theory to the profession and practice of adult education.
- Analyze the limitations and advantages of specific theories and explain how they can be applied in specific educational settings.
For most students, you should plan on spending 12–15 hours per week on the course.
For a more detailed look at what each lesson will entail, as well as due dates for our assignments and discussions, see the Course Readings Guide.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.Note: Course textbook (required and recommended) selections are dependent on program faculty and campus site. The College of Education uses the current APA Manual criteria for all written assignments. The APA manual is listed as an optional material for purchase.
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You can view the Online Students' Library Guide for more information.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to determine whether your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page and select My Account.
Technical Requirements and Help
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
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| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
| Help | If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information about completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
Course Requirements and Grading
| Assignments | Points | |
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| Presentations |
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20
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| Critical Response Papers |
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30
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| Participation |
Your active, prepared participation and critical reflection in relation to the readings, presentations, personal learning journal, and materials are the very centerpieces of the class. To participate means to immerse yourself in the materials and the class discussions.
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30 |
| Final Paper |
A 15- to 20-page literature review of one learning theory, or an aspect of one theory (andragogy, SDL, situated cognition/community of practice, CHAT, etc.), discussed in class (more information will be provided) |
20 |
| Total |
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100 |
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Letter Grade
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Percentage Range
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| A | 95%–100% |
| A- | 90%–95% |
| B+ | 87%–90% |
| B | 84%–87% |
| B- | 80%–84% |
| C+ | 77%–80% |
| C | 70%–77% |
| D | 60%–70% |
| F | Below 60% |
The instructor reserves the right to round up to an intermediary grade (e.g., C+, B-, B+, A-) if student performance merits it.
Assignment Policies
Assignments and course discussions all have due dates for submission to the course instructor. Each due date is noted in the Course Schedule section of this syllabus. Please make every effort to submit assignments on time or to notify the instructor in advance of a late assignment. Late assignments will be penalized unless you have made prior arrangements with the instructor. Deadlines will be defined as 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the last day of the lesson time frame, unless noted otherwise. No assignments can be accepted after 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the final day of class.
If you know you will be offline the day an assignment is due, please make sure to submit it early. Anytime you feel that you might be falling behind in the course, it is best to contact the instructor to discuss your situation. If you have an assignment completed by the deadline but are unable to submit it for technical reasons (or cannot post to a discussion forum), contact the IT Service Desk. However, to receive your grade and feedback, you must submit the assignment or post to the forum once either becomes available.
The majority of assignments for this course will be either posted to a course discussion or submitted to a designated assignment space. For assignments you submit, you are required to use Microsoft Word. Once you have submitted a file, it is a good idea to click the link to the file to be sure that it is viewable or accessible for downloading. For lengthy discussion posts, it is recommended that you draft your text using Notepad (on PC) or TextEdit (on Mac), copy it, and then paste it into your post. That way, you will have a copy saved on your computer should anything go wrong!
Finally, please keep a copy of all your work. We cannot assume responsibility for lost items.
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please see Graduation on the World Campus Student Policies website.
Course Readings Guide
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- Course ends:
- Course length: 16 weeks (Spring/Fall) 12.5 (Summer)
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please refer to Graduation at the Chaiken Center for Student Success.
Policies
The following page provides you with information regarding essential Penn State policies. Please take the time to carefully review each policy. For information about other policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; course drops and withdrawals; deferred grades; and more, please see the World Campus Student Policies website.
Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity (for undergraduate students in undergraduate courses) and policy GCAC-805 Academic Integrity (for graduate students and undergraduate students in graduate courses), an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity or GCAC-805 Academic Integrity as appropriate). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal
integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help
create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the
fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is
requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedures allow a student to accept or contest/appeal the allegation. If a student chooses to contest/appeal the allegation, the case will then be managed by the respective school, college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. Review procedures may vary by college, campus, or school, but all follow the aforementioned policies.
All academic integrity violations are referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response, which may assign an educational intervention and/or apply a Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion.
Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page.
Student Success and Support Resources
The Chaiken Center for Student Success at Penn State World Campus guides you to the right resources and support you need–when you need them–along your academic journey. You can connect with peers and support teams to find direction, information, and networking opportunities. On the website, you'll find information and resources on many aspects of being a World Campus student:
- Finances—tuition, scholarships, and financial aid
- Inclusion and Wellness—diversity and inclusion, mental health services, disability accommodations, care and advocacy
- Enrollment and Registration—course planning, adding and dropping courses, and much more
- Course Work and Success—academic advising, tutoring, and other services
- Involvement and Opportunities—career resources, student organizations, internships, service, study abroad, and more
Following are some key resources.
Student Disability Services
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities, whether permanent or temporary, visible or hidden, into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities, including World Campus. The Disabilities and Accommodations section of the Chaiken Center for Student Success website provides World Campus students with information regarding how to request accommodations, documentation guidelines and eligibility, and appeals and complaints. For additional information, please visit the University's Student Disability Resources website.
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
Graduate students: Please see the Student Disability Resources website for graduate student resources.
Students with disabilities participating in internship, practicum, student teaching, or other experiential learning opportunities as part of their degree requirements may also be eligible for reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access and opportunity. These accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, their University supervisor, and the site supervisor. Student Disability Resources can assist students with identifying potential barriers, facilitating accommodation requests, and coordinating with University supervisors to promote inclusive learning experiences.
Counseling and Psychological Services
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Military Student Information
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Additional Policies
Privacy Notice
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.Student Responsibilities and Conduct
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
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Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Instructors may require students to provide documentation with the class absence form or other written notification for events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
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For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Values.
Report Bias
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus are subject to change, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Your instructor will notify you of any changes.