Term
Summer 2026
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAT
Facilitator(s)
Julia Reimer and Karen Moroz
Content Expert
Erin Cary
Abstract
In today's rapidly evolving labor market, skills-based and hands-on learning have become central to adult lifelong education. Numerous studies highlight that "learning by doing" is the preferred and most effective approach for adults, who increasingly seek education that aligns with real-world demands and career advancement. Despite the growing emphasis on skills-based learning, gaps remain between educational programs and real-world expectations.
To understand how a skills-based course can affect employability outcomes for adult learners, we must first examine the root barriers in adult education. Adult learners face a very different set of obstacles compared to children. As cited further, some of these challenges are related to people's perceptions of online/distance learning, socioeconomic status, time commitments, motivation, accessibility for adults in rural areas, lack of technology skills, varying learning styles, learning disabilities, and proficiency in literacy. Across global contexts, adult learners consistently identify similar characteristics of effective learning environments, common barriers to participation, and the need for education that directly supports employability.
We must also consider the added difficulty of the language barrier that many adults face when immigrating to a new country. Immigrant adult learners encounter many of the same challenges discussed above, but with the added complexity of language acquisition. Language proficiency is central to independence and integration, yet learners' experiences vary widely depending on their prior schooling, literacy in their first language, exposure to multiple languages, and socioeconomic status. This capstone project explores the intricacies of adult education barriers alongside skills-based teaching and hiring practices.
Project Type
Curriculum
Keywords
Adult Education
Recommended Citation
Quirk-Lazarev, Svetlana, "Skills-Based Classrooms in Adult Education" (2026). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 1197.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/1197
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects