AAACE 2021 Annual Conference

Adult learning; experiential credit; assessment.

This session is a continuation of findings included in a qualitative case study of perceived barriers of adult learners in post-secondary education. This workshop focuses on eliminating barriers, closing the assessment loop in an Adult Degree Completion Program, and using teaching strategies such as transformational learning, self-directed learning, and self-reflection.

In the Fall of 2019, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith enrolled an initial cohort of students in the adult degree completion program. This program facilitates the application of experiential learning to combine work experience and previous college hours to existing college courses in their degree plan. The research identified “What barriers do adult returning students perceive in both returning to college and/or persisting and completing degree requirements?” This session will focus on closing the assessment loop in an Adult Degree Completion Program using adult education teaching strategies such as transformational learning, self-directed learning, and self-reflection.