ERIC Number: ED666858
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 219
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-5169-4292-1
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Andragogy of Workplace Essential Skills in a Community College in South Florida
Nayrie Smith
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, The University of West Florida
Adult learners are returning to school to acquire and enhance workplace essential skills needed to meet changing job market expectations. Adequately preparing adult learners for the workforce necessitates understanding their views and experiences. The problem explored in this study was the lack of research regarding business school stakeholders' perceptions of the andragogy of workplace essential skills in a community college setting. The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to explore the perceptions of business school stakeholders of the andragogy of workplace essential skills in a community college in South Florida. Participants were six adult students enrolled in business courses, three professors, and a business department chair. The five key assumptions (self-directedness, valuable past experiences, readiness and willingness to learn, problem-centered and practical interests to learning, and intrinsic motivation) and four principles (adult students' involvement in the learning process, integration of past experiences and new knowledge, relevance and impact of the adult learning experience, and incorporating problem-centered instruction) of Knowles's theory of andragogy guided the formulation of the research question. Although adult learners acquired and enhanced workplace essential skills within a positive learning environment incorporating andragogical strategies, adult learners desired enhanced workplace essential skills, such as technological, written, and oral communication, to adequately prepare for the workforce. Participants described andragogy strategies as an effective model of how they learn, supporting the key principles of Knowles's theory of andragogy. Suggestions for future research include exploring workplace essential skills related to other majors and disciplines and including a larger, diverse sample. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Community Colleges, Job Skills, Adult Learning, Labor Force Development, Business Education, Employment Potential, Learning Readiness, Problem Based Learning, Student Motivation, Learning Processes, Relevance (Education)
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges; Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Florida
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A