Exploring disparate philosophies and applications of adult education practice can help identify principles for more effectively facilitating perpetual learning that benefits adult learners and society. Emerging research shows that adults have an amazing capacity to learn at all stages of life and that adult education practice is providing a broad array of possibilities for enriching the lives of individuals while meeting the needs of society.

No single approach or theory seems to adequately address the diverse abilities and needs of adult learners, the multiple missions of institutions, and the changing needs of society. Rather than imposing myopic philosophy and ideology, adult educators can be more effective by adapting practice to the dynamically interacting needs of the student and the environment.