Immediate and Sustainable Benefits of Adult Education: Employing a Three Capitals Framework

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 77
  In Roundtable Session: Rethinking Human Capital in Adult Literacy and Adult Education

Abstract

Adult education brings about wide benefits for learners. However, it is hard to measure those benefits on the long-term. In this study, we examine immediate and sustainable benefits among adult learners, from a three capitals framework. In order to do so, a mixed-method design is employed to map benefits in terms of human, social and identity capital. In 2015, a quantitative study was conducted among 325 adult learners, complemented by follow-up interviews (N=16) in 2017 to explore the perceived sustainable benefits. The results of both methods show that human and identity capital benefits are recognized to be sustainable. However, the findings regarding social capital are mixed. Our results discussed the immediate as well as sustainable benefits of adult education.

Authors

• Celine Cocquyt, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Chang Zhu, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Nguyet Anh Diep, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Valérie Thomas, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Jaël Muls, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Tom Vanwing, Vrije Universiteit Brussel