Master’s in Adult Education – Thematic Units

HOU > Master’s in Adult Education (ΕΚΕ) > Master’s in Adult Education – Thematic Units

EKE50: Methodology of adult education

Module code: EKE50

ECTS Credit Points: 20

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1^st

Language: Greek

Module Outline

The main aim of this module is to introduce students to the field of Adult Education. In particular, it seeks to define the field from a scientific and factual point of view, to present the main theoretical approaches of the phenomenon of adult learning and to analyze the issues related to the appropriate adult educational techniques and the dynamics learning in groups. The expected outcome is that the students who complete the unit will not only possess knowledge of the theoretical issues related to adult education but will also be able to operate effectively as adult educators.

The aim of the Module EKE50 “Methodology of Adult Education” is to develop the knowledge and skills of students related to, among others, the following issues:

The study of the phenomenon of learning as a process linked to the evolutionary and social context of the individual and particularly to the process of socialization. Also, the understanding of the complex concept of globalization in relation to adult education and the recognition of how globalization affects development and education at national level.
The differences between the concepts of education and learning and the understanding of the concepts of formal, non-formal and informal learning. The development of an understanding of the term ‘lifelong learning’.
Understanding the concept experiential learning, by defining teaching as a learning process which is based on the learning conditions of adulthood and the teaching approaches that accommodate the characteristics of adult learners.
The different types and methods of teaching and the evaluation of each method. Students acquire the ability to evaluate and select the type, means and methods of teaching that are appropriate to their subject area.
Analysis and study of the elements that comprise the complex nature of the evaluation process and an understanding of its various forms.
An initial understanding of the elements that influence programme design, the study of the arguments that support the importance of experience in the acquisition of teaching competence and the development of an understanding of the importance of the professionalization of adult educators as well as the framework for the certification of adult educators in Greece.
Understanding the concept of learning groups, the levels of group dynamics, the characteristics of the operation of educational groups, the different approaches to group dynamics. Additionally, the recognition of the important role of the trainer and the impact of his/her attitude and practices has on the operation of the group.
Recognizing and understanding the qualities that influence group dynamics and understanding of the process of communication, its aspects, its patterns, and ways to improve communication. Using knowledge to improve communication skills, using structured activities within small (sub)groups, using techniques that foster the participation of the whole group.
Understanding and describing the skills required from a trainer to implement group activities and techniques that facilitate learners to express themselves freely within the group.
The interpretation of the non-verbal communication of group members combined with the acquisition of skills to ask questions in an effective and facilitative manner, in order to be able to creatively moderate the discussion within the group.

Learning Outcomes: After the successful completion of the Module students will be able to:

Describe the principles and the theoretical framework of adult education.
Describe and justify the teaching methods that are appropriate to adult education.
Apply the adult education principles and the corresponding methods in a variety of educational contexts.
Describe and apply the principles and methods of facilitations of adult learning groups.

Subjects covered:

Theories and Preconditions of Learning
Teaching methods
Basic teaching skills
Communication and group dynamics
Case studies

Prerequisite Modules: Registration in the EKE50 module does not require completion any other module.

Assessment: Completion of four (4) written assignments during the academic year, the average of which contributes to the final grade of the unit by 30%, if it is eligible for the final or repeat examinations. Final written examinations, the grade of which contributes to the final grade of the unit by 70%.

EKE51: Design, management and evaluation of adult education programs

Module code: EKE51

ECTS Credit Points: 18

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1st

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Aim: The objectives of the thematic unit are for students to understand the theoretical framework for the design and organization of adult education program, so that they can become adult education trainers or managers with a high level of knowledge, skills and competences and be able to contribute effectively in the field of Lifelong Learning.

Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Analyze the evolution of the institution of Adult Education in Greece, based on the socio-economic conditions.
Identify the characteristics of the main institutions of Adult Education in Greece and the relevant educational policies, compared to their European counterparts.
Present the steps of the educational needs assessment process.
Apply the steps of designing programs for adult learners.
Analyze the administrative characteristics of an adult education organization.
Identify the ways in which basic principles and procedures of educational management are applied to the effective operation of adult education organizations.
Plan the actions implemented within an adult education organization.
They analyze the steps of human resource selection and decision-making processes in an adult education organization.
Identify the content of evaluation types and models.
Present the steps of the evaluation processes in an adult education organization.

Subjects covered:

Socio-Economic Purpose and Institutional Framework of adult education
Management of adult education units
Evaluation of adult education programmes

Prerequisite Modules: The choose of EKE51 requires the simultaneous choose or completion of EKE50

EKE53: Management of Educational Organizations/ Educational Leadership

Module code: EKE53

ECTS Credit Points: 22

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 1st

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Purpose: The main aim of the module “Management of Educational Organizations/Educational Leadership” (EKE53) is to enable the students to develop and broaden their knowledge and skills in issues referring to the management of educational organizations, especially those regarding the field of Adult Education. Moreover, this model aims to the preparation of executives who will acquire sufficient knowledge as far as the broad context of adult education is concerned, in order to exercise effectively their managerial duties.

Aim:

The aim of the Module EKE53 ‘’Management of Educational Organizations/Educational Leadership’’ is to develop the knowledge and skills of students related to, among others, the following issues:

Analysis and study of educational organizations management, especially those operating in adult education and lifelong learning.
Adequate preparation of students in order to undertake the role of manager in adult education organizations, exercising effectively the managers’ duties.
Acquaintance with different approaches to the management of educational organizations and educational leadership.
The study and understanding of the theoretical and research issues related to issues of evaluation, assessment and accountability – control in adult education, in relation to the developments that are taking place in the formation of educational policy in the countries of the European Union.

Learning Outcomes:

With the completion of the module, students will be able to:

Recognize the basic characteristics of adult education institutions and understand the importance, possibilities, scope and conditions of their management.
Formulate, interpret, implement and coordinate educational policy and educational innovations in these organizations, taking into account both the national and the European context.
Effectively carry out the individual functions of planning, decision-making, management organization and monitoring/evaluation as they can be applied in an adult education establishment.
Manage human resources effectively by adopting modern approaches and practices with regard to leadership, motivation, professional development and assessment of trainers.

Subjects covered:

Educational Management and Policy. Educational Management of Adult Education Organizations.
Human Resources Management. Leadership in Adult Education Organizations.
Organizational Behaviour in Adult Education Organizations. Social and European Dimension of Educational Management

Prerequisite Modules: Registration in the EKE53 module does not require completion any other module.

EKE52: Contemporary approaches to adult education

Module code: EKE52

ECTS Credit Points: 30

Module Type: Compulsory

Year: 2^nd

Language: Greek

Module Outline

The main aim of the module EKE52 “Contemporary Approaches to Adult Education” is to present the developments that have taken place internationally and in Greece in the field of the theoretical research related to adult education and to present the theoretical approaches and practical applications of critical adult education over time. In this direction, Mezirow’s Theory of Transformation (transformative learning theory) is presented, and the affinities of this theory with the theories of great thinkers (e.g., Dewey, Freire, Jarvis, Illeris, Brookfield and others) and examples of the application of transformative learning in the field of adult education and in-service training are examined.

The aim of this module is to develop the knowledge and skills of the students so that upon completion of the subject they will be able to:

Understand the importance of the various theoretical approaches to adult education, the description of the way in which the field of adult education has evolved in recent years internationally and in Greece and to know the context of the relevant theoretical approaches.
Understand the work of key thinkers and movements that link adult education with the goal of social change and describe in depth the work of Paulo Freire and adapt their applications to the present day.
Understand the aim, basic concepts, and components of transformation theory as well as the views of other scholars who have worked on this theory and understand the content of the theories that have had a significant influence on the structuring of transformation theory and the reasons that have contributed to it, as well as understanding other important theoretical approaches that have an eclectic affinity or dialectical relationship with transformation theory.
Describe the reasons that led to the development of transformative learning theory and, more generally, radical education aimed at empowerment. Also, understand the rationale behind why it is appropriate to use art in the context of adult education and therefore to understand at a theoretical and practical level the teaching method “Transformative Learning through Aesthetic Experience”.
Describe the theoretical approaches linked to the context of contemporary continuing vocational training that are also linked to the Theory of Transformation.

Learning Outcomes: After the successful completion of the Module students will:

Have a thorough knowledge of the theoretical approaches in the field of adult education, especially the contemporary ones.
Be able to distinguish in depth the convergences and divergences between the ideas of the main founders of critical adult education (Freire, Mezirow) and the way in which their ideas are applied in practice.
Be aware of the concerns and trends that develop within the theory of Transformative Learning

Subjects covered:

Contemporary Foundational Views on adult education
Critical Approach to adult education
The theory of transformative learning
Trends and Developments in adult education in Greece

Prerequisite Modules: In order to register to Module EKE52 the completion of Module EKE50. Module EKE 51 is also a prerequisite. However, students may register for both Modules EKE51 and EKE52 during the same academic year.

EKE54 Adults in Open and Distance Learning

Module code: EKE54

ECTS Credit Points: 30

Module Type: Optional

Year: 2^nd

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Purpose: The main purpose of the thematic unit is the familiarization of students with Open and Distance Education Systems, the recognition and understanding of the role of the Professor-Advisor, the cultivation of the ability to design and develop teaching materials that are compatible with distance teaching, and at the same time the information about the possibilities of using modern technology in distance education. Also, the Thematic Unit aims to approach the following important elements of distance education: written assignments and their assessment methodology, organization of advisory group meetings, basic principles of educational assessment, reflection that has been developed in recent years on the effective use of new technologies in education.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the thematic unit (EKE54), students will be able to:

Understand the socio-economic function of open and distance education for adults in a national and European context.
Relate the basic – and especially the modern – adult learning theories to distance and open education.
Clarify the connection between open education systems and distance education.
Understand the participation in educational institutions and programs of study that implement open access and distance education strategies.
Understand the applicability of adult learning principles and methods, team coordination, planning, organization and assessment in the dimension of distance education.
Implement innovative distance education practices for adults.
Know and understand the functioning of educational structures in distance education.
Analyze the organization and administrative support of open and distance education institutions.
Know the theoretical framework and specific pedagogical methods that support adult learning in distance education formats.
Support the development of educational material appropriate for distance learning.
Conduct evaluation of open and distance education institutions and procedures.

Subjects covered:

Familiarizing students with the Open and Distance Learning Systems.
The role of the tutors.
Development of teaching materials, compatible with distance learning, using modern technology.
Open and Distance Learning in adult education.

Prerequisite Modules: Registration in the EKE54 module does not require completion any other module.

EKEDE Master’s Dissertation

Code: EKEDE

ECTS Credit Points: 30

Type: Optional

Year: 2^nd

Language: Greek

Module Outline

Content

The dissertation (EKE-MD) in the M.Ed. in Adult Education consists of the design, implementation and writing of an extensive research report of an integrated scientific research project which includes empirical research engaging qualitative/quantitative/mixed methods or and extensive and critical literature analysis and synthesis of an indicative length* of about 15. 000-20,000 words. The dissertation is subject to the requirements and constraints dictated by a set of established design, conduct and writing specifications and is characterized by continuity, consistency, scientific competence, academic research ethics and proper use of academic discourse.

The EKE-MD offers the student the opportunity to demonstrate her/his ability to:

to use and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the study of the individual modules of the postgraduate programme in Adult Education (M.Ed. in Adult Education) in order to systematically and scientifically investigate a specific topic that is chosen, according to his/her interests, from a set of general categories of topics that are offered and are relevant to current issues/phenomena in adult education; and
design and implement a comprehensive research study under the guidance and supervision of his/her supervisor.

The Director of the M.Ed. in Adult Education (or in case of a relevant authorization by the Director, the coordinator of every module) composes, based on the broader research area related to adult education and the specialized subjects of every module a list of general categories of topics for the preparation of a master’s dissertation. The full list of general categories of topics per subject area for the academic year 2022-23 may be found in the following link: https://study.eap.gr/mod/folder/view.php?id=10193. The general categories for each module are posted on the educational platform study of the HOU, before the start of the period for submitting the relevant application for conducting a dissertation. Based on these categories, students submit relevant proposals where they declare their preferred topic. Subsequently, the Director appoints the supervising member of the teaching staff (supervisor) and the second member of the Review/Examination Committee for each submitted proposal, as long as it meets the basic academic requirements. Then the supervisor, in collaboration with the student, finalizes the research topic and the main outline of the dissertation within the first month of preparation and gives the final approval (see the relevant instructions at: https://study.eap.gr/course/view.php?id=436)

* In the indicative length of 15,000-20,000 words of the dissertation the following are not considered: (a) cover page, (b) acknowledgments, (c) table of contents, (d) abstract, (e) references and (f) appendices.

Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of the Master’s Dissertation (EKE-MD) students are expected to be able:

to implement a research project by selecting a topic from a set of topics related to current issues in adult education (e.g., lifelong learning as a philosophy and policy, continuing education and training, Second Chance Schools and Vocational Training Institutes, critical adult education, adult counselling, intercultural adult education, distance education, educational policy of adult education, etc.);
to search for, identify, and critically select the appropriate scientific literature relevant to the issue/phenomenon under study;
to critically elaborate on the relevant literature, to consistently reflect upon it and to use it the different stages of their research;
to apply rigorously the principles and rules of scientific and academic ethics which govern research, as well as those governing the presentation of academic work in any form;
to make effective and creative use of online/digital tools/media at all stages of the preparation, writing and dissemination of his/her research,
to handle competently, critically, and responsibly both the use – exploitation of primary and secondary research sources (print and digital sources) and research documents and the research tools for the collection and analysis of empirical data.

General Regulation for Preparing Graduate Dissertations in PC with an annual Module Correspondence

Prerequisite Modules: The presentation of the Master’s Dissertation takes place after the successful completion of the program’s Course Modules.