The Learning Experiences of Adult Learners in a Blended Learning Environment: Opportunities and Challenges

Globalization in higher education institutions (HEIs) has made single-mode delivery institutions dual mode. HEIs in Ghana have adopted various digital learning technologies (e.g. Moodle and Sakai Learning Management System [LMS]), which are currently deployed in adult and distance education (DE). The University of Ghana employed the Sakai (LMS) to create blended learning (BL) experiences for adult learners. The University of Ghana used modules in DE with adult learners at eight (8) Learning Centres in 2007 and grew to eleven in later years. In 2014, the University of Ghana made a paradigm shift and adapted the BL approach using the Sakai (LMS) to complement the traditional face-to-face (F2F) to cushion teaching and learning among adult learners. This chapter presents a case study drawing on technology in distance learning. In-depth interviews, purposive sampling procedures were employed to elicit responses from eight (8) adult learners pursuing degree programmes by DE mode. The chapter illuminates beneficial experiences of adult learners adapting BL in pursuing degree programmes by DE mode. It isolates challenges adult learners face and discusses strategies for strengthening technology use in HEIs. The study's findings, including improved adult learners’ digital literacy skills and interactions among tutors and lecturers, were discussed. Implications for adult higher education, including HEIs partnering with the Government of Ghana to provide ‘one laptop’ each to adult learners and strengthening BL among adult learners to drive the digitalization process in Ghana, were discussed. It concludes with a call for effective technology deployment in learning at HEIs by DE mode.