Adult Learning (2022)

This subject focuses on the skills, knowledge and understanding of learning and teaching processes, practices and structures in adult learning.

Adult Learning is available as a minor.

To complete a minor in Adult Learning, students must complete 60 points in Adult Learning, including EDSOC202, EDSOC302; and 30 points from CMYHE201, EDSOC200, EDUCA210, HMDEV202 and SOCWK205.


On this page


  • Prescriptions for the GradDip(AdLg)

    The qualification regulations define the requirements for the Graduate Diploma. The qualification must include EDSOC202 and EDSOC302, and at least one of EDUCA210 or HMDEV202.

  • Prescriptions for the MEd

    To complete the Master of Education in Adult Learning, students must complete 180 points at 500 level, including at least 60 points from 500 level papers in the Adult Learning subject; one of the following Research Methods papers EDUCA500, EDUCA557, or MAOED500; and one of a Directed Study equivalent to 30 points, a Dissertation equivalent to 60 points, or a Thesis equivalent to 90 or 120 points.

    Students will normally be expected to focus their independent research on a topic related to Adult Learning.

    Optional papers will be selected from the papers listed in the MEd subjects, the MEdLeadership, or 30 points may be selected from outside the field of the degree.

  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    EDUCA110How and why do we learn? An introduction15.022A (Hamilton) & 22A (Tauranga)
    This introductory paper gives students opportunities to critically engage with a body of salient theoretical lenses addressing learning, teaching and education. Learning and teaching are interrogated from social, psychological and anthropological perspectives. Students are encouraged to engage in critical deconstruction of learning...
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    CMYHE201Healthy Lifestyles and Healthy Communities15.022B (Hamilton) & 22B (Tauranga)
    This paper aims to develop understanding of sociological analyses and critiques of health promotion and to develop comprehension of the relationship between practice and the wider cultural, environmental, political, and social contexts in which health promotion occurs.
    EDSOC200Education and New Zealand Society15.022A (Online)
    This paper critically examines educational ideas and practices by considering philosophical, historical, political, socio-cultural and economic aspects. It examines how the interrelationships between education and society change over time.
    EDSOC202Planning Learning Opportunities for Adults15.022A (Online)
    This paper investigates fundamental concepts of adult learning and then studies some adult learning theorists whose work is relevant to programme development. Major bottom-up and top-down approaches are taken to understand the dynamics of programme development. Students develop and apply their own approach to development, implement...
    EDUCA210Learning Through Life: Contexts and Considerations15.022B (Hamilton)
    In this paper, students will explore contemporary considerations which shape learning and teaching across the lifespan, and contextualise these within specific areas of focus. Students will have opportunities to reflect systematically on their own lifelong learning trajectories, and on the relationship between individual goals for ...
    HMDEV202Adult Development and Ageing15.022A (Online)
    This paper draws on theories from developmental psychology, sociology, demography, philosophy and biology to examine learning and change processes through adulthood, and discusses implications for personal and social development.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    EDSOC300Māori Knowledge and Western Impacts in Education15.022A (Online)
    This paper explores comparisons between key Western and Maori philosophies. It considers how Maori and Western philosophies respectively describe the self's relationship with thought and knowledge in the context of education.
    EDSOC302Adults Learning for Life15.022B (Online)
    This paper explores the character of adult learning including analysis of social issues in the field. It focusses on areas within lifelong learning where social inequalities are most prevalent.
    HMDEV302Ageing in a Changing World15.022B (Online)
    This paper considers the issues arising for adults as they age. It will critically reflect on issues around positive ageing in a global context.
  • 500 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    ADLNG500Issues in Adult and Tertiary Education30.0No occurrences
    This paper will investigate issues in current theory, policy and practices in adult and tertiary education locally and internationally. In the course of this enquiry, students will be expected to critique multiple perspectives, develop a coherent philosophical base and a research design to address a specific issue.
    EDUCA500Culturally Responsive Methodologies incorporating kaupapa Māori and Critical Theories30.022X (Block - Tauranga)
    Culturally Responsive Methodologies utilise kaupapa Maori and critical theoretical frameworks to develop contexts within which the researched community can define the terms for engaging, relating and co-creating new knowledge.
    EDUCA557Becoming a researcher: theory, ethics and methods30.022A (Online), 22B (Online) & 22H (Block)
    This paper introduces students to the major educational research paradigms, methodologies appropriate to collecting data in schools (including interviews, observations, surveys, case studies), action research, literature reviews, critiquing research, and report writing. It includes consideration of ethical issues in research.
    EDUCA590Directed Study30.022I (Hamilton), 22I (Online) & 22X (Hamilton)
    Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
    EDUCA592Dissertation60.022I (Online), 22J (Online), 22X (Hamilton), 22X (Online) & 22X (Tauranga)
    A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
    EDUCA593Education Thesis90.022I (Online), 22X (Hamilton), 22X (Online) & 22X (Tauranga)
    An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
    EDUCA594Education Thesis120.022X (Hamilton), 22X (Online) & 22X (Tauranga)
    An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
    HMDEV502Contemporary Issues in Adulthood30.022A (Online)
    This paper focuses on adult development with an emphasis on ageing, diversity, culture and social justice. Examining social and political discourses, the paper explores how the resulting messages influence the everyday experiences of people at different stages of adulthood; and the implications of these for working with diversity i...
    MAOED500Rangahau Kaupapa Māori - Kaupapa Māori Research30.022X (Hamilton)
    This paper seeks to explore Kaupapa Maori research theory and methodologies, developing more informed and culturally located and responsive research practice, with a particular focus on researching in Maori educational contexts.

2022 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 7 December 2023 9:06am

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