Resources on Adult Learning Theory

Volume 4: Appendix to Chapter Six
Sharan B. Merriam

In the appendix to chapter 6, Sharan Merriam provides an annotated bibliography of key resources on adult learning theory. These resources are organized as "foundations," which include texts by Freire, Knowles and others, and "contributions since 1990." This latter category comprises works that present research in adult learning, developments in adult learning theory, some theory-based recommendations for practice and an overview of the field of adult and continuing education. Works included address issues of mentoring in higher education, informal learning in the workplace, transformational learning, and situated cognition in communities of practice. For each entry, Merriam notes the principle focus of the work and its recommended audience (practitioners, researchers, policy makers, etc.) and provides a brief synopsis.