CONDITIONS OF LEARNING BEYOND ADULT-EDUCATION

The author considers adult education within the more general cultural-theoretical framework of societal institutionalization of conditions of learning. Though pedagogical patterns of structuring are the special feature of adult education, the entire field may not be adequately analyzed by having recourse to these patterns alone. Which patterns of action structure the conditions of learning is a question that has to be answered empirically. Proceeding from the plurality of a system of adult education which is extending its limits, the focus is on the boundary areas typical of adult education (TIETGENS), the mixing ratios and the transitions from this system to other socio-cultural worlds rather than on the ''pure'' forms of education which are disappearing anyway.