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NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

DEPARTMENT OF ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

COURSE OUTLINE ON EAE 101: INTRODUCTION TO ADULT AND

CONTINUING EDUCATION WITH SOME USEFUL NOTES

BY PROF. UCHE OBIDIEGWU (2025)

1. What is Adult and Continuing Education? P 36 – 44.

2. Who is an Adult? Identify the ambiguity and subjectivity in the concept. No

specific definition. See P. 23 - 27

3. What does the word “Adult” mean to an adult education professional (An
Andragog)? Pp 4-5 and 19-20.

4. Who is an Adult Educator? (44 – 50)

5. Who is an adult learner? (50-52)

6. Programmes of Adult Education (See P 36, See also Chapter 3 on the book
Globalization…

7. Characteristics of an adult learner (See the printed material)

8. Importance/Relevance of adult education to an individual, community and

national development (You can discuss the relevance using the indicators of
maturity .

10. Scope of adult education. (See the book Globalization 51-69).

11. Relationship and differences between formal education (schooling) non-

formal education and informal education ( Pp. 52-58)

12. Objectives of adult education.( See printed materials. See also the book on
Globalization)
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13. The neglect of adults in the scheme of formal education in developing

countries. (This can be discussed by reflecting on the characteristics of the adult
learner). See printed materials.

14. The goal of adult education and its roles and activities. (See printed materials).

15. Challenges facing adult education practice in Nigeria (See printed materials).

16. Career opportunities for adult educators in Nigeria. (See printed materials).

WHAT IS ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION? SEE P23 AND Pp.

36-44 on the handbook Adult and Continuing Education: Towards Lifelong
Maturity for Individual and National Development.

The word ‘adult’ is ambiguous and subjective. As a result of this, the ambiguity

which surrounds the word 'adult’ extends to the definition of adult and continuing

education. To achieve our focus adult and continuing education may be defined as:

1. An abstraction in learning which conceives education as an inclusive and

lifelong process necessary for human development. It therefore promotes factors

which facilitate inclusive and continuing learning and promotes equal education

opportunities for all people (Obidiegwu,2022).

2. Pursuit of learning towards maturity as the need arises through constant

updating of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values for necessary adaptation

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inorder to build competence, capacity and character (Obidiegwu,2022).

3. A process of updating competences for self-fulfillment which goes beyond

cognitive development (academics or theoretical knowledge) to include all areas of

life through formal, informal and non-formal learning environments (Obidiegwu
2022)

WHO IS AN ADULT EDUCATOR? (Pp 44-50)

An adult educator is a facilitator of learning who takes responsibility for helping

learners learn(irrespective of the learner's characteristics which include age,

gender, previous experience, location among others)Obidiegwu (2023).

Difference between professional adult educators and other educators lies in the

training received and the principles of facilitating learning acquired through

professional training (an andragog has more focus on the learner and self direction
towards lifelong learning while a Pedagog has focus on the subject matter and rigid
curriculum). See Fig. 2. P 15 and compare with Fig. 3 P. 17. See also P37 second
line from the bottom.

Many colleagues are adult educators and/or adult learners without knowing it (See
Obidiegwu, 2023 P 48 & 49).

WHO IS AN ADULT LEARNER? See P 50-52.

An adult learner is a person who identifies a learning gap or need in his life and

strives for continuing learning for maturity through updating his knowledge, skills,

attitude, values through any of the three (3) modes of education (formal, informal

and non-formal).Most often they are referred to as mature learners( Obidiegwu,

2023)
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NOTE:

SCOPE OF ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

See Fig. 4, P 36 Adult and Continuing Education Framework. See also the Book:
Globalization of Adult Education: Theories and Strategies for Instructors, Chapter
3

INDICATORS FOR MATURITY (See Pp. 27 – 35)

1. Cognitive/Intellectual maturity:

Ability of an individual to acquire/possess and utilize brain-based skills in daily

activities usually acquired and applied in the formal school system (classroom).

2. Psychological Maturity:

Ability to develop confidence, positive self-concept and applying it in solution

of life issues without hurting the self-concept of others (Psychological

intelligence). Acting in an appropriate way for a particular situation and accepting
the view point of others.

3. Political Maturity:

Ability to understand a group of people and to use such understanding to influence

such group positively either in governance, institution or organization and ability

to take part in decisions affecting an individual in his community and nation as a
whole for progress and development.

4. Social Maturity:
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Ability to work with others as a team through positive relationship and

collaboration. Spirit of camaraderie (Friendship, trust and loyalty among

members who are comfortable with one another)

5. Financial Maturity:

Ability to use ones income judiciously which is also related to economic and

management of resources for overall productivity. It does not depend on how rich
or poor an individual is.

6. Spiritual maturity:

It refers to the ability to work in an unflinching obedience to God's words and

principles. This is the summary of good relationship with God.

NOTE:

The indicator for maturity may not be limited to the points specified above
(Remember the word is culture-specific). Adult and continuing education
programmes enable a learner to be self-directed and autonomous in order to
continue learning throughout life (Obidiegwu, 2023), particularly in the recent age
in which the new technology has provided learning to the reach and doorstep of all
global citizens.

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Obidiegwu U.J.(2023).Adult and continuing education: Towards lifelong Maturity

for Individual and National Development.

Obidiegwu U.J. Obiozor & W. E. (2023).Adult Learning: Towards Human

Development Throughout lifespan.

Obidiegwu U.J. & Obiozor W. E. (2023). Globalization of Adult Education:

Theories and Strategies for Instructors.