So, what exactly is narrative learning? And why should adult educators know about it and use it in practice? Well, the short answer to both questions is that one makes sense of all experience by narrating it (constructing it as a kind of story), so understanding how narrative works will make the practice of adult educators more effective. But…

Educating adults to tap into the wisdom of their inner life can happen in many contexts: (1) higher education classrooms; (2) workshop and retreat settings; and (3) psychotherapy settings. Adults can also facilitate the development of their inner life through various self-directed learning efforts, by learning from life experience, and through…

What does the possible selves construct add to our understanding of adult learning and our capacity to foster it? Implications in relation to transformative learning are discussed.

This chapter provides background theory and practical steps for a possible selves approach to career development in adult education settings. It also identifies methods to foster development, enhance motivation, and manage setbacks.

A holistic conception of transformative learning involves understanding of the self through spiritual, emotional, and mythological dimensions of experience, grounded in the idea of archetypes. (SK)

Women and men are still segregated into different occupations. There has been a marked underrepresentation of women in science and technology fields for many years, despite some increases in the number of women earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in science. The notion of possible selves can be applied broadly to the problem of why the…

This chapter describes the educational possible selves of low-income mothers as they make the transition from welfare to work.

Authentic relationships between teacher and student form a central process in transformative learning in the classroom. Based on research and theory, this chapter provides practical strategies for educators looking to foster authentic relationships.

Students who have internalized negative messages about their intelligence and ability must reexamine their personal meaning perspectives before they can engage in critical reflection. A multiple intelligences framework provides a structure for this reassessment. (SK)

The possible selves construct is presented as a useful and largely untapped perspective on adult learning. Special attention is given to the role of educational helping relationships in fostering positive possible selves among adult learners.