Adult literacy and literacy education have long been a global agenda. China's literacy education has been developing amid the backdrop of international commitments and goals of adult literacy. Since the founding of new China in 1949, adult literacy policy in China has been continuously evolved within the changing political, economic and social…

A sampling of definitions indicates a certain amount of ambiguity and confusion about development and how it differs from other concepts such as growth and change. Any attempt to clarify this concept should begin initially with identification of the essential meaning of the term and then consideration of its characteristics and how it differs from…

Analyzes basic differences in the views of the purpose and process of adult education proposed by Eduard Lindeman and Malcolm Knowles. For Lindeman, adult education's purpose is changing the social order as well as improving individuals. Knowles focuses on preparing individuals for change, fulfilling individual needs while contributing to…

This literature review shows that independent learning and self-improvement were promoted in early nineteenth-century Canada. However, learner autonomy in the working classes faltered in the face of lack of resources and political opposition. (SK)

The American educational system is credited by many well-known leaders and educational writers as being responsible for the success of American democracy and industrial society. They say that education builds the state as a democratic society that rests upon the education of all people and builds a foundation for freedom by the opportunity…

The theory of transformative learning, the process of making meaning of one's experience, emerged from the work of Jack Mezirow and has been explored through numerous research studies and critiques over the last 20 years. The purpose of this monographic is to provide greater insight into the transformative learning theory. The paper begins with an…

This paper reviews human development theories that could be utilized in the study of museums as well as theories or approaches to curiosity that appear to be of significant interest for museum exhibit designers and educators. An overview of each theory is followed by a general evaluation of the theory and research that appears relevant. The…

Experiential learning as a field of practice is vast. This paper uses the metaphor of a tree to categorize experiential learning's variety, the roots being the underpinning theoretical traditions and the branches the various forms of practice. The place of experience is highly valued in three traditions of adult education: the progressive,…

In the field of adult education, self-esteem is a concept worthy of exploration, for it is a crucial component of much that happens in the educational setting. However, although many studies have explored self-esteem in children, little has been written about adult self-esteem. Self-esteem has been defined as a component of self and has many…

A literature review examined the research concerning adult development and graduate education. An initial literature review indicated that little research had been done. Three critiques were developed concerning the literature in adult development: dispersion of adult research literature throughout various disciplines, concentratlon on adult…

Individuals have to learn to form their own identity, to determine a direction and to plan a career. However, individuals' shortage of actor competences confronts them with many problems; several institutions risk becoming overburdened by allocation or career problems. As a result, the role of the career counselor must change from that of a…

Recent trends in institutional accommodation of adult students in postsecondary education are discussed, and five key issues are identified: integration, transition, developmental research, leadership and faculty redirection, and fair pricing of programs. It is argued that a commitment to serving learners of all ages gives institutions a new sense…

A study of adult learners reveals four steps of transformative change in adult life: diffusion, dissonance, differentiation, and coherence. The educational implications of these steps are explored through case studies, and it is argued that these transformative changes affect not only the individual and the nature of adult education, but the…

These two volumes provide information on the scope of adult and community education (ACE) in Australia and implications for improved data collection and reporting. Volume 1 begins with a glossary. Chapter 1 addresses project objectives and processes and methodology. Chapter 2 analyzes the scope and diversity of ACE in terms of what is currently…

Older learners are often led into adult education by a quest for self-development and the wish to make meaning of the human experience. Adult educators should explore and appreciate the process of human development in the last stage. In old age there can be a merging of the knowledge of the body (life's stories) and of the spirit (developmental…