Faculty Perceptions of Adult Learners in College Classrooms

Abstract The number of nontraditional students on college and university campuses continues to increase. Therefore, faculty members need to become aware of issues regarding adult learners in the college classroom. Interviews were conducted with faculty at a large community college and a four-year public university in south central Texas. This study focused on faculty members’ perceptions of adult learners in the college classroom, their preparation for teaching in higher education and for teaching adult students in particular, and the strategies they found to be effective for teaching adults. Three themes were identified, including conceptions of adult learners, faculty preparation for college teaching, and teaching adults.