ERIC Number: EJ1127635
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2159-0281
EISSN: N/A
A Case Study of Spirituality in Senior Center Education: Qualitative Research in Adult Education
Demarse, Laura
Journal of Instructional Research, v5 p100-108 2016
This article presents a case study on the role of spirituality in adult education at a suburban senior center located in the southeast region of the country. The purpose of the case study was to understand the deeply personal role of spirituality in adult education as seen through teaching seniors and examine the personal manifestation of spirituality through the life experiences of three adult educators. The research questions examined how the participants implement spirituality in their teaching practice, as principally informed by their personal definitions of spirituality, and how these personal experiences of spirituality influence and shape their work as adult educators. The case study used non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews, which provide the narratives that informs the basis of this study. Three themes emerged from the data: (a) interconnectedness and contemplative practices, (b) strength and capacity building and (c) social support and community building. These themes link the personal life experience of the adult educators to unique findings which are consistent with the current scholarly discourse on spirituality in adult education; thus provide additional depth and scope to ground in practice.
Descriptors: Case Studies, Qualitative Research, Adult Education, Adult Educators, Spiritual Development, Older Adults, Community Centers, Teaching Methods, Semi Structured Interviews, Role, Capacity Building, Social Support Groups, Educational Practices, Transformative Learning, Community Development, Observation
Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching at Grand Canyon University. 3300 West Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017. Tel: 602-639-6729; e-mail: cirt@gcu.edu; Web site: http://www.instructionalresearch.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A