Adult Learning in Contemporary Society

Impact of Demographics and Technology on Adult Learning

Technological advancement and demographic shifts have reshaped the functionalism of adult-focused pedagogy. Here, we examine briefly the impact of these two factors; technology and demography, on adult learning. One of the significant impacts of instrumental technology is the vast and rapid improvement and expansion of adult basic education(McNair, 2009). Technology has enabled adult learners to access, control, or pause learning materials anywhere at any time. Currently, adults are able to initiate and control their own learning process without any significant assistance from an educator. The implications of demographic challenges in relation to discontinuous life course, learning needs of the older people and a mobile population have a far-reaching impact on adult learning (McNair, 2009). However, the presence of technology has enabled the mobile population of adult learners to achieve their educational goals. 

Ideally, demography changes are inevitable and hence technology will improve the learning process, knowledge acquisition, access to employment opportunities and economic growth among the adult population(McNair, 2009). In fact, demographic changes and technological advancement will impact positively the process of schooling and working especially among the adults within a period of ten (10) years from now. 

E-Learning Activity

In the video, Marshal McLuhan elucidates how technology is taking over research articles, papers and books. According to this short video, technology has changed the way people communicate. For instance, people rarely used telephones at home due to the availability of mobile cell phones (“Marshall McLuhan – The World is a Global Village (CBC TV)”, 2019). There have been tremendous changes especially in teaching in colleges and schools, books, television and movies due to the availability of technology. The idea is that the world has been reduced to a global village. Technology has impacted how we conduct research, how we learn, and how we communicate. There has been a significant shift towards the use of the internet for research purposes and the use of smart televisions (“Marshall McLuhan – The World is a Global Village (CBC TV)”, 2019). Currently, almost every person owns a Smartphone which can perform a number of activities concurrently.   

McLuhan pronounced that the fundamental role of adult education policies and practices is establishing a connection to all people, everywhere.  The culture of learning would shift to personal interaction and initiatives while honing the aspect of the written and spoken word. During the electronic age, people would be able to access the same educational materials and information from different locations across the world. The role of education policies and practices would be founded on global requirements. They will affect everyone across the world. 

References

Marshall McLuhan – The World is a Global Village (CBC TV). (2019). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeDnPP6ntic

McNair, S. (2009). Demography and lifelong learning (IFLL Thematic Paper 1). London, UK: National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.