2019 Annual Conference

Research to Practice

Shared Concurrent Session (Approx. 12 or 20 minutes)

The applications of sociocultural learning theory and transnational feminist theory are critical to adult education and contribute to a broader understanding of adult learning. In this presentation I discuss sociocultural theory and transnational feminist theory and their combined application in an analysis of existing literature.

This session is relevant to adult educators, and researchers working at institutions of higher education, feminist scholars, and those who work with non-governmental or non-profit organizations in capacities to influence social change. This session will also be helpful to individuals who wish to promote socially conscious education and economic development.

As a result of attending the session, participants will be able to:
• Identify the key tenets of sociocultural theory and transnational feminist theory.
• Articulate key knowledge and skills leveraged by the combination of these theories.
• Explore research and practice in adult education using these combined theories.

The applications of sociocultural theory and transnational feminist theory are valuable in adult education. Adult educators continue to contribute to work on culture, ethnicity and gender in academic and community learning settings. Further, the concept of learning takes into consideration the current tension between globalization and traditional ways of knowing that exist within US society. To explore this perspective, a sociocultural and transnational feminist theoretical framework serves as valuable tool in examining the ways that the physical location (place) and social location (space) impact learning. This frame centers the lived experiences and learning (material reality) for immigrant women who start their own businesses in the US. In the following sections, I describe sociocultural theory, transnational feminist theory to highlight their combined application through an analysis of existing literature.
To explore the application of sociocultural learning theory and transnational feminist theory it is important to remember that learning requires "full participation in the sociocultural practices of a community” (Lave & Wenger, 1991, p. 29). How and what people want to learn determines how teachers should teach, how programs are planned and what stakeholders are necessary to accomplish personal learning goals.

I will present information on sociocultural theory and transnational feminist theory in  adult education research and practice. Additionally, I will discuss these theories as they apply in existing literature and in applications to my dissertation study. I will end with a discussion among participants about ways in which theory informs practice and is relevant to current adult education efforts.