ERIC Number: EJ1215237
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-May
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1477-9714
EISSN: N/A
Adult Learners' Perceptions of Self-Directed Learning and Digital Technology Usage in Continuing Professional Education: An Update for the Digital Age
Curran, Vernon; Gustafson, Diana L.; Simmons, Karla; Lannon, Heather; Wang, Chenfang; Garmsiri, Mahyar; Fleet, Lisa; Wetsch, Lyle
Journal of Adult and Continuing Education, v25 n1 p74-93 May 2019
Mandatory continuing professional education is accepted across many professions as a re-credentialing mechanism to maintain professional competency. Self-directed learning is a widely recognized type of learning to meet mandatory continuing professional education requirements. The nature and characteristics of self-directed learning has been transformed with the growth in digital and mobile technologies, however there is minimal understanding of the role of these technologies in the self-directed learning habits of adult learners. This study sought to explore the perspectives of adult learners around the effect of digital and mobile technologies on continuing professional education activities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 55 adult learners from four professional groups (9 physicians; 20 nurses; 4 pharmacists; 22 social workers). Key thematic categories included perceptions of self-directed learning, self-directed learning resources, key triggers, and barriers to undertaking self-directed learning. Digital and mobile technologies emerged as important resources supporting the self-directed learning of health and human services professionals. Increasing usage and dependency on these technologies has important implications for organizational and workplace policies that can support effective self-directed learning processes in a digital age. A conceptual model is introduced to characterize the key factors defining the self-directed learning patterns and practices of adult learners in a digital age.
Descriptors: Adult Learning, Independent Study, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, Barriers, Physicians, Nurses, Professional Continuing Education, Pharmacy, Social Work, Educational Resources, Information Technology, Work Environment, Interviews, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A