The German gymnasium teacher Alexander Kapp (1800-1869) was to all appearances the first one to use the "andragogy concept" as a term for "adult learning." In 1833 he published the book "Platon's Erziehungslehre, als Pädagogik für die Einzelnen und als Staatspädagogik. Oder dessen praktische Philosophie." This book…

This article recommends strategies and process tools that teach learners to communicate with peers, observe specific behaviors in group processes, and share and analyze those observations to create increased awareness of their and others' assumptions and behaviors. The authors apply these strategies and tools in ways that make explicit to learners…

This chapter frames the transition to adulthood in the context of the moving from formal educational settings to the often less-structured learning that occurs in workplace settings. Although schooling may end, learning continues.

Effectively supporting adult development on the front lines of schools is no easy task. In this article, the authors report on talks with education leaders about the most pressing challenges they face in supporting adult development in their schools and organizations. The leaders participated in a graduate course about supporting adult development…

This chapter provides an overview of key principles and practices in executive coaching. Coaching is discussed as a reflective learning opportunity and offers the theoretical grounding, strategies, and case studies for each of four key elements of a coaching engagement.

In this article, the author begins by providing an overview of the literature on wisdom itself and then considers what some of its insights might suggest for dealing with a few current challenges facing the field of adult education. This article is grounded in two basic assumptions: (1) that there is an integration quality to wisdom that attends…

The purpose of this chapter is to consider the important influence that spirituality has in adult learning and how discussions of it are affecting the field of adult education. In so doing, the author begins by attempting to define spirituality and then considers the nature of spiritual experience and its relationship to adult development.…

This chapter examines the potential for personal growth, development, and learning of older adult women who will have many productive years in the workforce. What implications are there for adult education communities who will interact with these older women? How do they adapt to the educational environment, and what social support will enable…

Discusses the concept of educational brokering, which is the linking of adults to learning opportunities, as it is applied in Toronto, Ontario. Adult needs, user profiles, barriers, and program operation are presented. (BL)

Provides brief descriptions of adult education from technological, psychological, ideological, and sociological perspectives. Author examines the psychological perspective, highlighting the work of Jack Mezirow (transformation theory), Roger Gould (seven-step adult development process), Patricia Cranton (Understanding and Promoting Transformative…

The failure to appreciate the nature of adult development and its relationship to learning and teaching is in part theoretical and in part due to weak research methodology. New and more effective methodologies use a combination of cross-sections of groups and longitudinal studies. Consideration of adult learner self-concept is also vital. (MSE)

Reports details of an educational program designed and implemented at one retirement community. Cites a national survey which attests to the uniqueness of this program. Recommends that educational programs based on this model be implemented at all retirement communities. (Author/ABB)

Describes an online course in which graduate students collaboratively investigated and shared personal experiences with respect to adult development. Topics include naturalistic inquiry that was used to identify issues that characterized course dynamics; adult education; flexibility of course; co-construction of meaning; and the expression of…

Historical development of adult education in Croatia can be identified in seven phases: (1) the beginning of the 20th century and the period between the two World Wars; (2) World War II; (3) period from 1945 to the early 1950s; (4) early 1950s to 1965; (5) period between 1965 and 1980; (6) 1980s; and (7) period after the fall of the Berlin…

With the concept of lifelong education as the leading principle in planning and developing educational systems, the author outlines the four areas of adult education in Finland (supplementing general basic education, adult vocational education, developing citizenship, and individual self-development) and the demands placed on the educational…