Transformative Learning and Professional Advancement During an EdD Program

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2024.402

Keywords:

education doctorate, transformative learning theory, career advancement, pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine education doctoral student perspectives on their experience of enrolling in a fully online EdD program during a global pandemic and achieving career advancement during their enrollment through the lens of transformative learning theory. A qualitative study of 12 participants was conducted to examine in what ways the pandemic influenced their decision to enroll in an online doctorate program, in ways their thinking progressed throughout the program, and the factors affecting their decision to take on a career advancement while enrolled in the program. The findings indicate that there were elements of transformative learning that occurred for many of the participants. Faculty teaching in doctorate programs are encouraged to explore how they might foster transformative learning experiences for their students.

References

Berger. J. G. (2004). Dancing on the threshold of meaning: Recognizing and understanding the growing edge. Journal of Transformative Education, 2(4), 336–351. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344604267697

Brochu, K. J., Jensen, A. J., Robinson, R. M. M., Bryant, T. R., Desjardins, D. R., & Bent, L. G. (2021). Redefining roles: Female scholars’ reflections and recommendations for coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Impacting Education, 6(2), 54–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2021.170

Brown, K. (2006) Leadership and social justice and equity: Evaluating a transformative framework and andragogy. Educational Administration Quarterly, 42(5), 700–745. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X06290650

Bukko, D. & Dhesi, J. (2021). Doctoral students living, leading, and learning during a pandemic. Impacting Education, 6(2), 25–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2021.167

Capello, S. (2023). Supporting EdD scholar-practitioners through the COVID-19 pandemic using an ethic of care. Impacting Education, 8(1), 37–40. https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2023.263 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2023.263

Contreras, E. & Bedford, L. (2023). Transformative nature of doctoral education. Journal of Transformative Learning, 10(1), 23–31.

Coulter, X. & Mandell, A. (2013). Book review of the handbook of transformative learning: theory, research, and practice handbook. Adult Education Quarterly, 64(1), 86–88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0741713613496615

Cranton, P. (2006). Understanding and promoting transformative learning. Jossey-Bass.

Cranton, P. & Carusetta, E. (2004). Perspectives on authenticity in teaching. Adult Education Quarterly, 55(1), 5–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0741713604268894

Cranton, P. & Taylor, E. W. (2012). Transformative learning theory: Seeking a more unified theory. In Taylor, E. W., Cranton, P. (Eds.). The handbook of transformative learning: Theory, research, and practice. Jossey-Bass.

DeMartino, L. (2021). Adult learners, remote learning, and the COVID pandemic: Restructuring educational doctorate courses in crisis. Impacting Education, 6(2), 11–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2021.160

DeSapio, J. (2017). Transformational learning: A literature review of recent criticism. Journal of Transformative Learning, 4(2), 56–63.

Ginsberg, M. B., Knapp, M. S., & Farrington, C. A. (2014). Using transformative experiences to prepare instructional leaders through doctoral education. Journal of Research on Leadership Education, 9(2), 168–194. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1942775113515855

Jarvis, P. (2006). Towards a comprehensive theory of human learning. Routledge/Falmer Press.

Kegan, R. (1994). In over our heads: The mental demands of modern life. Harvard University Press.

Mezirow, J. (1978). Education for perspective transformation: Women’s reentry programs in community colleges. New York Center for Adult Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.

Mezirow, J. (1992). Transformation theory: Critique and confusion. Adult Education Quarterly, 42(2), 250–252. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/074171369204200404

Mezirow, J. (1996). Contemporary paradigms of learning. Adult Education Quarterly, 46(3), 158–172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/074171369604600303

Mezirow, J. (2000). Learning to think like an adult: Core concepts of transformation theory, In J. Mezirow (Ed.), Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress (pp. 3-34). Jossey-Bass.

Mezirow, J. (1990). Fostering critical reflection in adulthood: A guide to transformative and emancipatory learning. Jossey-Bass.

Mezirow, J., & Taylor, E. W. (Eds.). (2009). Transformative learning in practice: Insights from community, workplace, and higher education. Jossey-Bass.

Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., & Baumgartner, L. M. (2007). Learning in adulthood (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Pugh, K. J. (2011). Transformative experience: An integrative construct in the spirit of Deweyan pragmatism. Educational Psychologist, 46(2), 107–121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2011.558817

Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J., Holmes, J., & Stephen, J. S. (2019). Identifying significant personal and program factors that predict online EdD students’ program integration. Online Learning Journal, 23(4), 313–335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v23i4.1579

Stevens, K., Gerber, D., & Hendra, R. (2010). Transformational learning through prior learning assessment. Adult Education Quarterly, 60(4), 377–404. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0741713609358451

Stevens-Long, J., Schapiro, S. A., & McClintock, C. (2012). Passionate scholars: Transformative learning in doctoral education. Adult Education Quarterly, 62(2), 180–198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0741713611402046

Taylor, E. W. (2007). An update of transformative learning theory: A critical review of the empirical research (1999-2005). International Journal of Lifelong Education, 26, 173–191. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370701219475

Taylor, E. W. (2009). Fostering transformative learning. In Mezirow, J., Taylor, E. W. (Eds.). Transformative learning in practice: Insights from community, workplace, and higher education. Jossey-Bass.

Taylor, E. W., & Cranton, P. (Eds.). (2012). The handbook of transformative learning: Theory, research, and practice. Jossey-Bass.

Cover Page

Downloads

Published

2024-01-29

How to Cite

Marotta, J. A. (2024). Transformative Learning and Professional Advancement During an EdD Program . Impacting Education: Journal on Transforming Professional Practice, 9(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.5195/ie.2024.402

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2024): Designing, Developing, and Sustaining Doctoral Programs in a Post-Pandemic Age

Section

Themed - Designing, Developing, and Sustaining Doctoral Programs in a Post-Pandemic Age

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Jessica A. Marotta

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all digital objects that may result in subsequent electronic publication or distribution.
  2. Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
  3. The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License or its equivalent, which, for the avoidance of doubt, allows others to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions:
    1. Attribution—other users must attribute the Work in the manner specified by the author as indicated on the journal Web site;
    with the understanding that the above condition can be waived with permission from the Author and that where the Work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.
  4. The Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the Work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as long as there is provided in the document an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  5. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a prepublication manuscript (but not the Publisher’s final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.
  6. Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
  7. The Author represents and warrants that:
    1. the Work is the Author’s original work;
    2. the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party;
    3. the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;
    4. the Work has not previously been published;
    5. the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and
    6. the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
  8. The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained in Paragraph 6 above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.

Revised 7/16/2018. Revision Description: Removed outdated link.