"What is happening in education today?" and "What is most needed for the future of teaching, learning and leading?" This article presents a developmental approach to learning, leadership and advancing professional learning--one that takes into account adults' diverse meaning making processes--that can help educators build the…

Adult life consists of alternating periods of stability and transition. The nature of life transitions in adulthood and their potential for learning and development are the focus of this chapter.

The professional development of trainers requires an understanding of the developmental stages of adults. As with other adults, trainers may progress through stages of development. Staff developers must align the type of support given with the current stage of the trainer's development and move the learner to the next stage. (JD)

Developmental theory is used to clarify the academic career process. Information from college professors at five vocational stages indicates that some attributes change very little, some evolve directly, and others follow indirect paths of development. Important implications for faculty and administrators are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The effect on families and the changes that occur in relation to a child with intellectual disability are considered through the lifespan. As the rest of the family grows older, the child with a disability goes through school years and remains having special needs and specific vulnerability through adult life. (Author/JDD)

Liberal arts approaches to university education and many theories of counseling share as a goal the development of critical thinking in the individuals served. Such thinking requires the ability to consider the context within which one is working and the context within which the events and ideas under consideration occur. William Perry has…

The residency is examined from the standpoint of adult developmental theory, and significant developmental tasks facing residents are described. Recommendations for management of common developmental conflicts occurring in residency are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Adult developmental theory can help learners see how motivation changes across the life cycle. Class-discussion groups focused on these theories raise awareness of what learners value or need at different stages as well as of the diverse life experiences of others. (SK)

Because of inaccurate assumptions and biases in developmental theories, the unique concerns of middle-aged women have not been sufficiently addressed. They must reconcile their masculine and feminine selves by reassessing their interpersonal relationships, their physical beings, and the meaning of work and achievement. Describes a four-phase…

This chapter considers Robert Kegan's concept of holding environments, as well as six steps necessary for creation of new or adaptation of existing learning environments that facilitate adult development across the life course.

Different writing voices are linked to early adult developmental issues that are gender-related. Research by Donald Graves has shown that gender affects topic choice in girls' and boys' writing as early as age seven. Adult developmental theories provide frames for looking at the growth potential of writers and locating gender-related issues. The…

An approach to curriculum design for geriatric dentistry that incorporates an understanding of the students' own developmental stages into instructional activities is outlined, and the University of Mississippi's experience with this strategy is evaluated. An important element is to help students crystallize their value systems with regard to the…

Examines a class project for the study of development across the life span that requires students to interview individuals from different phases of the life cycle and write a paper discussing their subjects' lives in terms of major developmental psychology concepts. Describes student preparation and project evaluation, discussing some potential…

Academic advisement models in higher education have traditionally focused on the needs of the undergraduate student population. The purpose of this paper is to provide a model for graduate student advisement clarifying the role of the graduate student advisor within a developmental context that meets the needs of adult students. The…

An orientation course at an Ohio college was designed to help college freshmen adjust to the values of a new living/learning community, using personal journal writing to develop the students' coping skills. Life issues considered essential in adult development theory--identity, intimacy, autonomy, and competency--serve as a background for the…