The Study of the Elders’ Learning Experience in the Open University of Kaohsiung

• Main Authors: CHEN YUEN SU, 陳月素
• Other Authors: 楊國德
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/47244484488964952583

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 成人教育研究所 === 94 === The Study of the Elders’ Learning Experience in the Open University of Kaohsiung Abstract This research aims at probing into the elders’ learning experience in the Open University of Kaohsiung. The purpose of this research is to understand the elders’ learning motivation, continuing factors, learning obstacles and resolutions, and learning outcomes and effects. This is a qualitative research. The researcher used semi-structured interview, interviewing 12 elders from the Open University of Kaohsiung for once or twice and recording the interview. Then, the word-for-word drafts were coded. Finally, the data were analyzed with the method of thematically interpretative induction and narrative analysis. The conclusions are as follows, 1. The elder learners in the Open University of Kaohsiung have various motives. They keep high self-expectation for learning, and their most strong motive is the knowledge-seeking orientation, the less strong motive is the service and social orientation, and the least strong motive is the avoidance and excitement orientation. 2. The elders continue to participate in learning activities mainly because they hold the positive attitude that “the age isn’t an obstacle’’ and they can get assistance from teachers and classmates. Besides, there isn’t graduation deadline in the Open University of Kaohsiung. 3. The elders are most troubled with bad memory and computer learning, and they compensate the drawbacks by adjusting their learning pace, working harder, mastering the key points, and practicing more. 4. The elders’ rich social experience benefits their learning, so the evaluation style they like is to show their experience and opinions. 5. Learning makes the elders get fulfillment and keep contact with the society, leading to their self-affirmation and self-fulfillment. 6. The elders prefer a mix-age and face-to-face class with limited pressure, which makes them feel that the environment is gently competitive and cooperative, so they can learn and forget their age. According to the results, the researcher suggests as follows, 1. Suggestions to education institutes （1）Encourage teachers to diversify teaching and evaluation methods to fit the features of the elders;（2）Arrange curriculum practically to promote the elders’ learning interest;（3）Encourage the elders and help them raise learning confidence;（4）Use appropriate marketing strategies depending on the individual difference of the elders;（5）Open mix-age classes, so the elders get the chance to interact with people of other ages;（6）Set up a counseling guidance system or learning resources supply system to provide the elders with professional learning suggestions and guidance. 2. Suggestions to the elders （1）Organize learning groups automatically and ask teachers and classmates questions actively;（2）Raise the ability to use computer and collect the data;（3）Set up cooperating networks to share learning experience and provide spiritual support. Key words: the elder, the Open University of Kaohsiung, learning experience