A Theoretical Basis for Adult Learning Facilitation: Review of Selected Articles

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to synthesize a theoretical basis for adult learning facilitation in order to provide a valuable systematic resource in the field of adult education. The paper has reviewed six journal articles with topics ranging from theory of andragogy; the effect of globalization on adult learning; the contribution of Malcom Knowles; constructivism as a theoretical model for adult learning and the relevance of Piaget and neo-Piagetian theories on adult education. Each article was first summarized and then critically reviewed to reflect the current Africa realities on adult education. The overall finding is that African scholars have not been in the forefront in contributing towards theories of adult learning facilitation. The key theorists like Malcom Knowles, John Dewey, and Piaget are among many others who were born and trained in the west so they theorized according to their own contexts. In the end a call is given to African academics in adult learning to push boundaries further in the field of andragogy in order to be applicable in the current socio-political and economic realities.