Abstract:

If we analyse the level of the current teaching process we realize it is less adaptable and not reacting flexibly enough to rapid changes. Pedagogy experts are looking for the most appropriate strategies to facilitate learning. International and domestic political structures are increasingly open to the search for diverse learning pathways that meet the needs of a democratic, European future. In order to increase efficiency, it is necessary to examine the extent to which current educational practices are suitable for achieving optimal goals.

For previously stated reasons the study is a partial output of a broader research project that addresses the issues of adaptation of university students to the conditions of acquiring an education. The aforementioned adaptation is influenced by several fundamental factors, apart from the motivation to complete university studies (in connection with its continuance and completion) there are also certain limitations that can complicate their studies to a greater or lesser extent.

During the conducted research the authors focused on the issue of students adapting to the conditions of higher education while they were mainly interested in the obstacles that complicate the completion of university studies for our respondents. For the opinion analysis the main factor in the division of respondents was age due to the fact that adult education involves a diverse group of people who differ in age, gender, education and profession.

The research sample consisted of students of pedagogical faculties of various Slovak universities who were divided into four categories according to age (18-20 years, 21-25 years, 26-30 years, 31 and more years). The delineation of the individual categories was deliberately chosen to suit the needs of the investigation. Each category was represented by 425 respondents.

The main research method was a questionnaire survey in which respondents answered questions and were able to express their agreement or disagreement on a five-point scale. As part of the research survey we analysed which obstacles and to what extent these influence the respondents when completing their university studies.

Keywords:

Age differences of respondents, barriers, obstacles, university studies.