Skip to main content
Log in

Total quality and adult education: A natural partnership in the classroom

  • Published:
Innovative Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article highlights the philosophies of adult education and total quality and shows how they are combined to create a powerful educational tool. The article scans the literature, shares a case study at a community college, and offers examples and strategies for making learning a more collaborative, adult, high quality process.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Argyris, C. (1993).Knowledge for action: A guide to overcoming barriers to organizational change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beder, H. (1989). Purposes and philosophies of adult education. In S. B. Merriam & P. M. Cunningham, (Eds.),Handbook of adult and continuing education (pp. 37–50). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowles, J., & Hammond, J. (1991).Beyond quality: How 50 winning companies use continuous improvement. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, R. D., Apps, J. W., and Associates. (1980).Redefining the discipline of adult education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capper, C. A., & Jamison, M. T. (1993). Let the buyer beware: Total quality management and educational research and practice.Educational Researcher, 22(8), pp. 25–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chobot, M. C. (1989). Public libraries and museums. In S. B. Merriam & P. M. Cunningham, (Eds.),Handbook of adult and continuing education (pp. 369–383). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornesky, R. (1993).The Quality Professor: Implementing TQM in the classroom. Madison: Magna Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Courtney, S. (1989). Defining adult and continuing education. In S. B. Merriam & P. M. Cunningham, (Eds.),Handbook of adult and continuing education (pp. 15–25). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crosby, P. (1979)Quality is free. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daloz, L. A. (1986).Effective teaching and mentoring: Realizing the transformational power of adult learning experiences. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darkenwald, G. G., & Merriam, S. B. (1982).Adult education: Foundations of practice. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobyns, L., & Crawford-Mason, C. (1991).Quality or else: The revolution in world business. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hubbard, D. (1993). Is quality a manageable commodity in higher education? In D. Hubbard (Ed.),Continuous quality improvement: Making the transition to education. Maryville, MO: Prescott.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imai, M. (1986).Kaizen: The key to Japan's competitive success. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvis, P. (1992).Paradoxes of learning: On becoming an individual in society. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juran, M. (1951).Quality Control Handbook. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, M. S. (1990).The adult learner: A neglected species. Houston: Gulf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lane, M. (1993). Team-based TQM: A model for post-bureaucracy. In D. Hubbard (Ed.),Continuous quality improvement: Making the transition to education. Maryville, MO: Prescott.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, R. G., & Smith, D. H. (1994).Total Quality in Higher Education. Delray Beach, FL: St. Lucie Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merriam, S. B., & Caffarella, R. S. (1991).Learning in Adulthood. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mezirow, J. and Associates. (1990).Fostering critical reflection in adulthood: A guide to transformative and empancipatory learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Omachonu, V. K., & Ross, J. E. (1994).Principles of total quality. Delray Beach, FL: St. Lucie Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, J. E. (1993).Total quality management: Text, cases and readings. Delray Beach, FL: St. Lucie Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Senge, P. (1990).The fifth discipline: The art & practice of the learning organization. New York: Doubleday Currency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spanbauer, S. J. (1993). TQM in the teaching/learning process. In D. Hubbard (Ed.),Continuous quality improvement: Making the transition to education (pp. 394–409) Maryville, MO: Prescott.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steele, S. M. (1989). The evaluation of adult and continuing education. In S. B. Merriam & P. M. Cunningham, (Eds.),Handbook of adult and continuing education (pp. 260–272). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walton, M. (1990).Denting management at work: Six successful companies that use the quality principles of the world-famous W. Edwards Deming. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Additional information

Laura L. Bierema obtained a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Michigan State University, a Master's degree in Labor & Industrial Relations from Michigan State University, and an Ed.D. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia. Dr. Bierema is currently a faculty member at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her interests include teaching effectiveness, women's development, organizational learning, qualitative research, and total quality management.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bierema, L.L. Total quality and adult education: A natural partnership in the classroom. Innov High Educ 20, 145–159 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01190588

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01190588

Keywords

Navigation