Adult learning in good times and bad

Abstract

This study sought to examine when adults are most likely to learn from life experience, and what the nature of that learning might be. Using a qualitative research design, a life event framework was chosen to operationalize life experience. Participants were asked to recall major life events and significant learning events over a 20 year period. Life and learning event data were collected from 405 adults; in addition, nineteen interviews were conducted to probe more deeply about the rhythm and nature of learning from life experience. Two major findings emerged. First, more learning occurs when things are going well in our lives, and second, the learning that occurs during difficult times seems to be of a somewhat different character from learning in good times. Difficult times appear to generate major, transformative learning experiences.