Supporting adult learning: enablers, barriers, and services

Abstract

Adult learners are a large group for higher education including the computing and information technology programs. This paper provides a structured analysis of enablers and barriers to adult learning based on their characteristics and learning preferences. The paper proposes a general operational framework to support adult learners at different levels in educational institutions. The framework can be used as a guide for organizing adult learning support programs. Implications to IT education for adult learners are also discussed.