Abstract:

E-learning has been singled out as a means to promote lifelong learning, contributing to sustainable economic growth and social cohesion. This is sufficient reason for studying adult’s learning process in an online environment, especially those who are in a vulnerable situation and in a process of digital exclusion. This paper focuses adult's learning styles in a Portuguese prison and its purpose is to analyze the inmates’ approach to learning. The data were collected by the revised two-factor study process questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) and by the Lifelong Learning Questionnaire (Kirby, Knapper, Lamon, & Egnatoff, 2010). The VAK (Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic) test was also applied in order to identify the main senses mobilized for learning and classifies them as visual, auditory or tactile / kinesthetic (Miller, 2001). The results allow us to associate the deep approach to some characteristics of learners throughout their life, especially concerning the establishing of goals and the self-direction of learning, whereas the superficial approach is mainly associated with the adaptation of learning strategies. On the other hand, the VAK test indicated that the tactile/ kinesthetic is the preferred one. Knowing the adult´s learning approach can contribute to pedagogical differentiation and increase participation in digital environments.

Keywords:

e-learning, lifelong learning, adult education, learning styles.