Adult Motivation towards the Pursuance of Distance Education in Selected Universities in Ghana

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate adult motivation towards the pursuance of distance education in selected universities in Ghana. Four research questions were formulated to guide the direction of the study. Phenomenological design was employed for this study. In all 27 respondents were involved in this study using census sampling. The 27 respondents interviewed for the study were adults' learners aged 50 years and above in the three tertiary institutions selected, namely Valley View University, University of Cape Coast and University of Education, Winneba. An unstructured interview guide was used to collect data from the respondents. The data was transcribed and categorized into themes for analysis. The study revealed that the majority of the adult learners on the distance education programmes agreed that their main source of motivation and encouragement in pursuing higher education is to upgrade themselves and acquire higher job skills for self-development. The study also concluded that adult learners' motivation and encouragement in pursuing distance education is for them to be promoted at the work place, get better jobs, receive higher wages and as well receive higher bonuses and allowances when on pension. It was however recommended that due to the special needs of adult learners they should be separated from young adults and taught differently by focusing on their special educational needs and their psychological engagements.