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A bone of contention: reflections on the experiences of mature learners in social work education

Machin

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Abstract

Research has found that mature, female social work learners often face barriers to achievement in higher education due to the demands of managing practice placements and classroom learning around caring responsibilities (Lister, 2003). This paper, originally submitted as part of an MA programme in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, reflects on a critical incident that occurred during my teaching practice with a group of social work undergraduate students. By reflecting on the incident and Knowles’ (1968) theory of andragogy which informed my response, this article explores the experiences of mature female learners in social work education. A discussion of the extent to which I addressed the needs of the learners and an exploration of my failings form the basis of a reflection on how to meet the needs of mature female learners with caring responsibilities in social work education.

Acceptance Date May 9, 2017
Publication Date Aug 25, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Academic Development and Education
Print ISSN 2051-3593
DOI https://doi.org/10.21252/KEELE-0000013
Keywords mature learners, care, social work, education
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.21252/KEELE-0000013

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