Tom Vanwing

Theorising the relationship between older people and their immediate social living environment

This article presents a theoretical framework for exploring the dynamics between older people and their immediate social living environment. After introducing a gerontological perspective that goes beyond microfication, a literature review presents findings from studies that have explored the role of place and locality for older people. Next, this contribution seeks to broaden the conceptual field by introducing key dimensions of the relationship between older people and their social environment. A critical investigation of underlying assumptions and constructions of older people within certain research traditions that address the social environment is presented. In conclusion, the role of the social environment is underlined as a dynamic, multi-dimensional, historically and spatially contextualized process that both shapes and is shaped by the experiences and practices of older people.

Predicting adult learners’ online participation: Effects of altruism, performance expectancy, and social capital

Abstract Learners’ socio-demographic characteristics, personal traits, and performance expectancy are frequently employed to interpret online participation among members in virtual, higher education, and professional settings, but not in adult education contexts. Furthermore, the social capital framework has scarcely been used to explain online participation in educational settings, despite its prevalence in virtual contexts. The present study aims to uncover the unique predictive value of altruism, perceived learning benefits as a measure of performance expectancy, and social capital with regard to adult learners’ online participation in addition to socio-demographic variables. A questionnaire was administered and completed by 181 adult learners following a blended learning program in Flanders (Belgium). Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that working learners, lower degree holders, and females are the keenest participants in online participation. We also found that performance expectancy outweighed altruism in explaining online participation. Only two dimensions of social capital, namely sense of belonging and norms of reciprocity, significantly predicted online participation. Based on these findings, pedagogical and research implications are discussed.

Community resilience 2.0: Toward a comprehensive conception of community-level resilience

Abstract Resilience theory provides an applicable framework for studying how systems cope, adapt or transform in face of exogenous disruptions. We attempt to develop a comprehensive conception of community-level resilience; we propose a combination (i.e. social-ecological resilience, community resilience) of characteristics of systems-centered (e.g. structure, embeddedness in larger spatial and temporal scales) and components-centered conceptions of resilience. Well-developed communal resources and agency are considered components leading to community resiliency. Unfortunately, current literature on community resilience does not elaborate on social structures that condition agency of social agents. We believe Archers’ morphogenetic approach and her stratified view of agency offers a seminal starting point. Furthermore, we suggest that forces (e.g. social, economic, natural) operating at larger levels impact communal resources; a community’s social memory influences their agency. Finally, we make recommendations on how community development processes can strengthen community resilience in practice and how to conduct empirical research toward community resilience 2.0.