updated 7/20 Final Project Planning

Updated 7/20
Additional interview with a 50is woman who dropped out of school only to return years later to finish a  credential.  Her story adds to my project.

Change in summary:
Summary will include a chapter review and additional readings as I relate them to the individual subjects.

Updated 7/14
Project will consist of two parts:
1. Subject interviews (between 30 - 60 minutes)
   a.  50 year-old who never went back to school for various reasons
   b.  30 year-old typical non-trad learner with obligations outside of school
   c.  80 year-old who just learned something new this year
   d.  70 year-old typical life-long learner

2. Summary of interviews identify reasons for learning, areas of learning, barriers to learning, roles of past educational experiences and people.

Questions for the subjects:
q1.  Why do you learn and what motivates you to learn?  
q2.  Has your motivation changed over the years?
q3.  What do you have a desire to learn?   
q4.  If there were no barriers, what would you desire to learn?
q5.  What keeps you from learning?
q6.  What are you memories from your early educational experiences?
q7.  How (did) does your family view "education"?  
q8.  If any teachers stand out in your mind, what are some of their important characteristics as an instructor?


update 6/28/13
6/21/13
WHO?
I contacted and confirmed three of the five interviewees for my project!
They are:
1. A woman who is an Assoc. Prof. inTeacher Education with her degree in Adult Education.  I believe she can offer a perspective of being a professional in the field as well as speak to adult educational programming.
2. The Evening Program Coordinator (and Adjunct English Instructor).  He works primarily with faculty and students who attend class after 4pm.  This group tends to be a non-traditional student base and the faculty are mostly adjuncts.  I believe he can lend a lot to the conversation about ethical practice (and dilemmas!).
3.  Assoc. Prof of English, and Chair of English/Reading/Communication.  As Chair, she does a lot of problem solving between students and faculty.  She can add to the conversation there.  Additionally, she is contemplating going back to school for her Doctorate.  She has two small children. This could be an interesting conversation.

4. (confirmed) a current adult student who is laid-off and cannot find work, full-time business student, single parent.  He will provide the perspective of many adult learners.
5. (confirmed) a senior citizen who once an educator herself, has taken on new challenges and continues to grow and learn.  She leads others in groups and facilitates workshops.  I believe she will add to the conversation from both perspectives; student and educator.

WHAT are we going to talk about? ROG - Any suggestions?  I want the interviews to be about their experiences...
Topics that seem "hot" and where is the reference:

• Emotions in Adult Learning (Merriam and Grace text)
• Non-western perspectives on learning and knowing (Merriam and Grace text)
• Ethical decision making (Brockett and Hiemstra text)

IN PROGRESS Questions... ROG - Any suggestions?

• why go back to school/training? or why are you in this field?
• what have been/are the struggles? dilemmas?
• what has your journey looked like so far?
• what are your strengths and how do you see them in your role (instructor/student/administrator)
• what advice would you give to someone who is contemplating your path?

WHERE?
I see the scenario as a video conversation with a person followed by a brief summary by me in between.  The video will take place in a neutral place.

WHEN?  I would like to schedule the interviews in the middle of July so that I can have it done by the first week in August.