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of developing new concepts as new experiences for reflection of adult learners.
Knowledge is gained with a combination of grasping and transforming experiences.
To be effective, Kolb’s cycle of learning must include the following four stages:
1. Concrete experience (feeling) – This could be a new experience or situation,
or a reinterpretation of existing experience in light of new concepts.
2. Reflective observation (watching) – Learners reflect on new experiences in
relation to their existing knowledge.
3. Conceptualization (thinking) – Reflection provides new idea or modification
of an existing idea—what was learned from new experience.
4. Active experimentation (doing) – Learner applies (or tests) new ideas to see Dr. Kaye Dotson is
Associate Professor
what happens. (McLeod, 2017, pp. 2–3) Emerita and Past Program
Overall, Kolb’s theory emphasizes the importance of actively engaging students Director of the Library
in the learning process by having them reflect on experiences and use those Science Program at
experiences for future learning and application. This approach can be effective for East Carolina University
Baby Boomers who have a wealth of prior experiences and knowledge to draw upon in Greenville, North
and who may benefit from a personalized and interactive approach to learning. Carolina. Her area of
research expertise is
These adult education learning theories were supported by findings from the leadership development,
current study in describing participants as self-directed learners who brought their particularly focused on
life experiences to form their experiential, transformative, and evidence-based school librarians and the
learning. The findings in this study strongly correlated with the professional adult impact they may have
learning theories previously identified. on future generations.
She served over 20 years
as a practicing school
Methodology librarian, presenting at
The purpose of this research was to explore learning experiences of Baby Boomers numerous conferences
(born 1946–1964) who were currently enrolled in graduate programs part-time or full- and publishing articles
time or had recently graduated with a graduate degree in adult education or library about the role of the
science. This study reviewed barriers, challenges, and achievements of graduate school librarian. She
students during their learning process. Data were collected through interviews and continues her work in
the profession serving
can be used for recommendations for improving instructional delivery through Library Science graduate
institutional changes that promote future student success in graduate programs. students. Her recognition
Overall, the research focused on adult learning theories, identifying valuable insights of the significance of
into the factors that influence participants’ perceptions of graduate programs and lifelong learning for adults
individual learning experiences. By applying these theories to program design and inspired this work. She
implementation, educators can better meet the diverse needs of adult learners. currently serves as Region
1 Director and is a past
president of Beta Upsilon
Participants Chapter in North Carolina
The 10 participants for this study self-identified as Baby Boomers and were or State Organization.
had been enrolled in either the master’s program in library science (MLS) or the
adult education (MAEd) program. These two programs are credentialed, accredited, dotsonl@ecu.edu
and approved postsecondary programs leading to a university graduate degree or
certificate. The researchers decided to interview five library science and five adult
education graduate students for this qualitative study. The researchers noted that
the number of students in this category enrolled in these programs was not large.
In reviewing the number of enrolled students for several years, it became evident
that the Baby Boomers are aging out of higher education opportunities, but it is
important to continue to serve those who are enrolled with quality programs.
The target population was recruited informally through researchers’ contacts with
peers and graduate school enrollment databases. A list of birth dates was identified
in a university-generated fall 2022 database report of currently enrolled students in

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