Orientations to Enrolment of Part-time Students: A classification system based upon students' perceived lifelong learning needs |
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| Authors: | David Kember Richard Armour Winnie Jenkins Doris Y P Leung Natalia Li Kwok Chi Ng |
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| Institution: | 1. Hong Kong Polytechnic University;2. Open University of Hong Kong;3. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology;4. Chinese University of Hong Kong |
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| Abstract: | This article develops a classification system for the orientations to enrolment of part-time students based upon their practical lifelong learning needs. Orientation to enrolment is seen as a complex construct embodying all the reasons, purposes, expectations and motivations that cause students to pick a particular course and elect to study by the part-time mode. Virtually all of the interviewed students had a vocational orientation so some previously used categorisation schemes were not suitable. Instead seven categories relating to lifelong learning needs provided a scheme which covered the cases and related well to explanations given by interviewees for enrolling in the courses. These were re-training or further development for those who need to make a career shift; education for professionals who need to undertake continuing professional development through their careers; an opportunity for a tertiary education for those who did not previously have the chance; an education at the tertiary level for those who did not do sufficiently well at school to qualify for direct entry to university; an alternative to mainstream education; education for adults; and learning for pleasure throughout the lifetime. |
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