Dissertation
A narrative study of technological influence on nontraditional adult students' experiences in an online learning environment
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Sep 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010732
Abstract
The number of adults who are returning to the classroom to further their education is higher than ever before. Technology, especially in the education world, has been advancing at an exponential rate. This narrative study was based on the following problem, there is little understanding of how technology incorporated in an education setting impacts the overall experience and satisfaction of nontraditional adult students - students who are employed professionals over the age of the traditional college student. The purpose of this narrative research design study was to better understand the experiences of each adult student and to construct a narrative about the participants' perspectives and suppositions relative to the effectiveness and impact of technology on their experience and satisfaction in an online learning environment. To further guide the research, the researcher posed the following questions: 1) What are nontraditional adult students' overall experiences when engaged in an online learning environment that utilizes technology during a course? 2) What are the stories told by nontraditional adult students in regard to qualities they believe technology should exhibit in order to be considered useful or beneficial? 3) What narratives do nontraditional adult students share about how they perceive the role of their age in relation to their attitude regarding technology usage in an online learning environment? The conceptual framework that provides a foundational understanding of the research problem consisted of three streams: 1) modes of technology, 2) instructional modality, and 3) instructional support. The following two theories also helped guide this research: Malcolm Knowles's Adult Learning Theory and John Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews and a focus group interview. Keywords: adult education, adult students, technology, online learning, higher education, technology in education
Metrics
77 File views/ downloads
66 Record Views
Details
- Title
- A narrative study of technological influence on nontraditional adult students' experiences in an online learning environment
- Creators
- Jaime Alexa Monteforte
- Contributors
- William F. Lynch (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 119 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021903508204721