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Making sense of the shapes: What do we know about literacy learning in adulthood?

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  • Aker, Jenny C.
  • Sawyer, Melita
  • Berry, James

Abstract

Approximately 770 million adults worldwide are classified as illiterate, with women and individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia bearing the heaviest burden. Despite the potential for adult education programs to bridge this gap, such programs are often plagued by low enrollment, high dropout and limited skills acquisition. While there is a relative paucity of economic research on adult learning as compared with primary and secondary schooling interventions, recent research in educational neuroscience and economics offers some insights into addressing the barriers to adult learning. We review these insights and offer some concrete recommendations for adult education programs in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Suggested Citation

  • Aker, Jenny C. & Sawyer, Melita & Berry, James, 2024. "Making sense of the shapes: What do we know about literacy learning in adulthood?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:100:y:2024:i:c:s0272775724000311
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2024.102537
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Deshpande, Ashwini & Desrochers, Alain & Ksoll, Christopher & Shonchoy, Abu S., 2017. "The Impact of a Computer-based Adult Literacy Program on Literacy and Numeracy: Evidence from India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 451-473.
    2. repec:wbk:wboper:9767 is not listed on IDEAS
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Adult education; Returns to education; Human capital investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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