Exploring transformative learning in vocational online and distance education

reformulation of their experience, and new ways of acting in the world) is widely understood as an important outcome of adult education ADDIN CSL_CITATION {"citationItems":[{"id":"ITEM-1","itemData":{"ISBN":"978-1-55542-207-3","abstract":"This book presents successful programs, techniques, and strategies for helping adult learners tap into their rich and diverse life experiences as a basis for growth and lifelong learning.","author":[{"dropping-particle":"","family":"Mezirow","given":"Jack","non-dropping-particle":"","parse-names":false,"suffix":""}],"id":"ITEM-1","issued":{"date-parts":[["1990"]]},"language":"English","publisher":"Jossey-Bass Publishers","publisher-place":"San Francisco","title":"Fostering critical reflection in adulthood: a guide to transformative and emancipatory learning","title-short":"Fostering critical reflection in adulthood","type":"book"},"uris":["http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=266861b7-969f-4717-9d73-c82684fa14a7"]},{"id":"ITEM-2","itemData":{"author":[{"dropping-particle":"","family":"Mezirow","given":"Jack","non-dropping-particle":"","parse-names":false,"suffix":""}],"chapter-number":"8","container-title":"Contemporary theories of learning: Learning theorists... in their own words","edition":"2nd","editor":[{"dropping-particle":"","family":"Illeris","given":"Knud","non-dropping-particle":"","parse-names":false,"suffix":""}],"id":"ITEM-2","issued":{"date-parts":[["2018"]]},"page":"114-128","publisher":"Routledge","publisher-place":"New York, NY","title":"Transformative learning theory","type":"chapter"},"uris":["http://www.mendeley.com/documents/?uuid=4ea80eb5-5829-4c97-bd3b-68072c58990a"]}],"mendeley":{"formattedCitation":"(Mezirow, 1990, 2018)","plainTextFormattedCitation":"(Mezirow, 1990, 2018)","previouslyFormattedCitation":"(Mezirow, 1990, 2018)"},"properties":{"noteIndex":0},"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Mezirow, 1990, 2018) . Various studies have been performed over the last 30 or so years since Mezirow’s theory was first proposed, confirming its presence and importance in higher education. However, it is questioned as to whether transformative learning takes place in vocational distance and online education, particularly if not explicitly promoted. This paper investigates the extent of transformative learning taking place in adult learners studying at a distance, online. Drawing on King’s (2009) Learning Activities Survey (LAS), Open Polytechnic students (n=499) across 7 qualifications (6 discipline areas) responded to a survey asking about their experiences of perspective transformation. The instrument also sought insight as to how vocational providers of vocational online and distance education might promote transformative learning outcomes in learners. Survey results show evidence of perspective transformation in students, to varying degrees mainly determined by the qualification being studied. The results also reveal which instructional design approaches and teaching activities might contribute to transformation.