Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes

2023, Vol. 13, No. 2 e-ISSN: 1390-8146

Published by: Universidad Técnica Luis Vargas Torres

How to cite this article (APA):

Acosta, B. (2023) Barriers faced by adults in continuing their education and

how to overcome them, Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes, 13(2) 45-

Barriers faced by adults in continuing their education and how to

overcome them

Barreras que enfrentan los adultos para continuar su educación y como superarlas

Betty Acosta Salazar

Master's Degree, Edward Deming Corporate Institute of Technology, b.acosta@deming.edu.ec,

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9604-1506

Adults who wish to continue their education often face numerous

barriers, such as lack of time, lack of funding, lack of family support,

lack of access to education, and lack of confidence in their academic

abilities. To overcome these barriers, adults can consider flexible

options, such as online education and seeking scholarships or

financial aid programs. In addition, seeking support from friends and

family can provide the motivation and encouragement needed to

succeed. Perseverance and determination are also essential to

overcoming barriers and achieving educational goals.

Keywords:

Adult Education, Educational Barriers, Educational

Inequalities, Educational Inequities

Resumen

Los adultos que desean continuar su educación a menudo se

enfrentan a numerosas barreras, como la falta de tiempo, la falta de

financiamiento, la falta de apoyo familiar, la falta de acceso a la

educación y la falta de confianza en sus habilidades académicas. Para

superar estas barreras, los adultos pueden considerar opciones

flexibles, como la educación en línea y buscar becas o programas de

ayuda financiera. Además, buscar el apoyo de amigos y familiares

puede proporcionar la motivación y el aliento necesarios para tener

éxito. La perseverancia y la determinación también son esenciales

para superar las barreras y alcanzar los objetivos educativos.

Abstract

Received 202- 10-23

Revised 2022-11-12

Published 2023-02-07

Corresponding Author

Betty Acosta Salazar

b.acosta@deming.edu.ec

Pages: 45-54

https://creativecommons.org/lic

enses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Distributed under

Barriers faced by adults in continuing their education and how to overcome them

Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes , / 2023/ , Vol. 13, No. 2

Palabras clave:

Educación de adultos, Barreras educativas,

Desigualdades educativas

Introduction

Education is a fundamental human right that should be available to

all, regardless of age, gender or geographic location. However, for

many adults, continuing their education can be a challenging task due

to various barriers that can hinder access to educational

opportunities. Some of these barriers include lack of time, lack of

funding, lack of family support, lack of access to education, and lack

of confidence in their academic abilities. Despite these challenges,

there are several effective strategies that adults can use to overcome

these barriers and achieve their educational goals. In this review

article, we will discuss the barriers adults face in continuing their

education and explore some practical solutions to overcome them.

One of the biggest challenges adults face in continuing their

education is lack of time. Many adults have family and work

responsibilities that consume most of their time, which can make it

difficult to find time to attend classes and complete academic

assignments. To overcome this barrier, adults can consider flexible

education options, such as online education or distance learning,

which allow them to work at their own pace and fit into their busy

schedules. In addition, they can set regular study schedules and track

their assignments and deadlines to ensure they are making progress

on their academic work. "Work and family demands can be a major

barrier for adults looking to continue their education. Online

education and distance learning programs can be helpful in

overcoming these barriers by allowing students flexibility in terms of

time and place of study" (Hodges, Moore, Lockee, Trust, & Bond,

2020).

In addition to using time management techniques, another way to

overcome the time barrier is to take advantage of workplace learning

opportunities. Employers can offer on-the-job training, professional

development courses and other educational options that allow

employees to continue their education while working. Not only does

this help employees acquire new skills and knowledge relevant to

their current job, but it can also help prepare them for future career

Barriers faced by adults in continuing their education and how to overcome them

Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes , / 2023/ , Vol. 13, No. 2

opportunities. Organizations that encourage continuous learning can

also enjoy a more motivated and engaged workforce, which can lead

to better performance and higher employee retention.

Another common barrier adults face to continuing their education is

lack of funding. The cost of higher education can be prohibitively high

for many adults, especially those who have limited income or who

have to support a family. To overcome this barrier, adults can seek

out financial aid programs, scholarships, and student loans that can

reduce the cost of education. They can also look for job training

programs that allow them to gain skills in high-demand fields without

having to attend college. In addition, they can consider working while

in school to help finance their education.

Lack of family support can hinder adults' ability to continue their

education. Many adults may feel discouraged if their loved ones are

not supportive or do not understand the importance of their

education. To overcome this barrier, adults can communicate clearly

with their family about their educational goals and try to involve them

in the process. In addition, they can seek out adult learner support

groups and other community resources that can provide needed

motivation and encouragement.

Methodology

The methodological process was based on the selection of some

adults with characteristics such as, lack of access to education may

hinder the continuity of their academic training. This may be due to

geographic location, lack of transportation or lack of access to

technology. To overcome this barrier, adults can seek online

educational options, such as distance learning college courses and

programs. They can also seek out educational opportunities in their

local community, such as evening education programs at local

schools.

One way to overcome the barrier to accessing education is through

scholarship and financial aid programs. Many organizations offer

scholarships and other financial aid programs to help adults pay for

their education. In addition, many educational institutions offer

financial aid programs and deferred payment options that allow

students to pay for tuition and other school expenses over time. It is

Barriers faced by adults in continuing their education and how to overcome them

Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes , / 2023/ , Vol. 13, No. 2

important for adults to research these options and apply for any

financial aid for which they may be eligible. In addition, the

government may also offer financial aid programs for adults who wish

to continue their education, such as low-interest student loans or

grant programs for low-income adults. With these options, adults can

overcome the barrier of access to education and advance on their

path to obtaining their degree or certification.

Results

Lack of confidence in academic skills can be a major barrier for adults

seeking to continue their education. Many adults may feel that they

have been out of school for too long or that they are not smart enough

to succeed in an academic environment. To overcome this barrier,

adults can seek out tutoring and mentoring programs that can provide

the help and support needed to improve their confidence and

academic skills. In addition, they can make a conscious effort to set

realistic goals and celebrate achievements along the way.

Another way to overcome this lack of confidence in their academic

skills is through practice and feedback. Adults can consider taking

study skills courses or tutoring programs to help them develop

effective study techniques and increase their confidence in their

academic skills. In addition, seeking support and feedback from

friends, family, and educational professionals can help adults

overcome their fears and gain confidence in their ability to succeed

academically.

It is important to build on this diminished confidence by selecting

courses and educational programs that match the adult's skills and

previous experiences. Adults may feel more confident and motivated

to learn when they can select educational programs that align with

their interests and abilities. In addition, adults may consider starting

with shorter, less intensive courses before advancing to longer, more

challenging educational programs. By starting with more manageable

courses, adults can gradually build their confidence and academic

skills as they move toward more ambitious educational goals.

For some adults, age can be a barrier to continuing their education.

They may feel that they are too old to return to school or that their

age prevents them from learning effectively. To overcome this barrier,

Barriers faced by adults in continuing their education and how to overcome them

Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes , / 2023/ , Vol. 13, No. 2

adults can seek out education programs specifically for older learners,

such as senior education programs or continuing education programs

at local universities. They can also look for nontraditional learning

opportunities, such as workshops and seminars, that can provide

valuable education without the need to enroll in a degree program.

"Older adults often have concerns about their ability to learn and

retain new information. Educators can help overcome these barriers

by creating a comfortable, pressure-free learning environment, using

learner-centered teaching techniques, and personalizing learning to

meet individual needs" (Mezirow, 2000).

Age is a common barrier adults face when considering continuing

education. Some adults may feel that they are too old to return to

school or that their ability to learn has declined with age. However,

research has shown that learning and cognitive ability can continue to

improve throughout life. One way to overcome this barrier is to

change perspective and understand that education has no age limits.

Adults can find inspiration from others who have returned to school

at older ages and have achieved academic and professional success.

Another way to overcome the age barrier is through educational

programs that are designed specifically for older adults. Many

educational institutions offer courses and educational programs that

are tailored to the needs and preferences of older adults. These

programs may include part-time learning options, flexible schedules,

and teaching formats that are more suited to the learning style of

older adults. In addition, older adults can leverage the experience and

wisdom they have gained throughout their lives to enrich their

educational experience and enhance their ability to relate to other

learners. "Older adults may also face emotional barriers, such as

anxiety and lack of motivation. Educators can help overcome these

barriers by setting realistic learning goals, creating a supportive

environment, and using motivational techniques, such as positive

feedback and rewarding achievement" (Merriam & Bierema, 2014).

Finally, adults may consider continuing education as a way to stay

mentally and socially active as they age. Lifelong learning can help

prevent cognitive decline and improve the mental and physical health

of older adults. By recognizing the importance of lifelong learning,

older adults can overcome the age barrier and find the motivation to

continue learning and growing in their personal and professional lives.

Barriers faced by adults in continuing their education and how to overcome them

Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes , / 2023/ , Vol. 13, No. 2

Correspondence education is a distance learning method that has

been around for a long time. It involves sending educational

materials, such as textbooks, workbooks and other learning resources,

by mail or email, so that students can study on their own time and at

their own pace. Correspondence education has been a popular form

of education for adults seeking to improve their skills and knowledge

while balancing work and family responsibilities.

One of the main benefits of correspondence education is the

flexibility it offers. Students can learn on their own schedule and pace,

allowing them to tailor their education to their existing responsibilities

and commitments. In addition, correspondence education can be

more economical than traditional education, as students can avoid the

transportation and lodging expenses associated with attending an

educational institution in person.

However, there are also some disadvantages associated with

correspondence education. One of the biggest challenges is the lack

of face-to-face interaction with professors and other students.

Students may feel isolated and lonely when studying at home, and

may have difficulty asking questions and receiving real-time feedback.

In addition, correspondence education requires a great deal of

discipline and motivation on the part of the student, as there is no set

schedule or structure imposed to guide learning.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the barriers adults face in continuing their education are

significant and diverse, and may include lack of time, funding, family

support, access to education, and confidence in their academic

abilities. However, there are a number of strategies and solutions to

overcome these barriers, including flexible education options,

financial aid programs, and seeking support from friends and family.

In addition, perseverance, determination and personal motivation are

essential to overcome these barriers and achieve educational goals.

Education has no age limit and all adults should have the opportunity

to continue their learning and personal development. By addressing

these barriers and taking steps to overcome them, adults can improve

their skills and knowledge, which can lead to greater personal

Barriers faced by adults in continuing their education and how to overcome them

Revista Científica Interdisciplinaria Investigación y Saberes , / 2023/ , Vol. 13, No. 2

satisfaction, better career opportunities and an overall better quality

of life.

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