‘Motivational orientation for adult learners’

The present study is part of an exploratory research study conducted to understand the Learning experiences of adult learners in Higher Education Institutes in India. The primary aim of the present study was to examine the motivational orientations of adult learners for lifelong educational courses and hence, the Educational Participation Scale (EPS) by Boshier was used to examine the motivational orientations among adult learners enrolled in selected lifelong courses. In total, seven motivational factors were identified among the adult learners to enrol in the Programmes: Communication skills and Social contact, Professional advancement, Intellectual recreation, Cognitive interest, Family Togetherness, Children Relationship and Educational Compensation. Age, gender, type of course and educational background had varying influences on the motivational orientation of the adult learners. Though professional advancement was found to be higher, Communication skills, social contact and family togetherness was found to be significantly higher among older research participants aged 50 years and above.