In this chapter, we discuss changes in the age structure of the labor force, the need for continued skill upgrading over the life course to remain employable, patterns of participation in adult learning and development activities, and the role community colleges play in providing education and training to middle-aged and older adults. In an…

Despite the growing attention being paid to the use of Automated Writing Evaluation (AWE) in China, it is still uncertain what factors lie behind EFL (English-as-a-foreign-language) learners' continuance intention to use it. To this end, by adding two external factors (i.e., computer self-efficacy and perceived ease of use) to the expectation…

Collaborative problem solving is a complex skill set that draws on social and cognitive factors. The construct remains in its infancy due to lack of empirical evidence that can be drawn upon for validation. The differences and similarities between two large-scale initiatives that reflect this state of the art, in terms of underlying assumptions…

This article reports on a study of adult literacy and learning in a public computing center where people contend with the new literacy demands of online government and other automated technologies. The study asks, (1) What literacy and learning practices are associated with digital governance? (2) What pedagogies support people to navigate digital…

Growing enrollment in distance education has increased student-to-lecturer ratios and, therefore, increased the workload of the lecturer. This growing enrollment has resulted in mounting efforts to develop automatic grading systems in an effort to reduce this workload. While research in the design and development of automatic grading systems has a…

This research focuses on the development and implementation of an adaptive learning and grading system with a goal to increase the effectiveness and quality of feedback to students. By utilizing various concepts from established learning theories, the goal of this research is to improve the quantity, quality, and speed of feedback as it pertains…

The impact of digital check imaging technology on two bank departments was compared. In one, tasks that were not automated were subdivided into narrower jobs. In the other, managers combined multiple related tasks to create jobs of greater complexity. The consequences of technological change thus depended in part on management decisions. (Contains…

Responses from 46 of 262 administrative office support workers showed that a majority were involved in providing office technology training to subordinates, peers, and superiors, although it was in only one-third of the job descriptions. More than 95% was informal training/question answering. (SK)

A study investigated the impact of computerization on administrative support positions through a survey of 529 university-educated individuals (166 responses). Results indicate that the majority did not experience the alienating influence of the computer and were enthusiastic about its integration into their work lives. (JOW)

A series of follow-ups of office systems graduates from 1977-94 (n=263) demonstrated how technology has shaped the office systems curriculum and occupations. Computer literacy and communicative competence are essential skills. Promotion and salary prospects are good. (SK)

Executives (n=63) and office-systems educators (n=88) recommended for workers the following categories of computer end-user skills: hardware, operating systems, word processing, spreadsheets, database, desktop publishing, and presentation. (SK)

A study examined the attitudes of employers from 10 firms in northwest Arkansas toward changing from a traditional office to an electronic one. Even though the 10 employers represented 7 different categories of industry (construction, manufacturing, transportation and public utilities, wholesale and retail trade, finance and real estate, services,…

Describes a study that used a staff development program on computer technology to examine computer anxiety and other factors related to resistance to computers among library personnel. The discussion covers determinants of computer anxiety that were identified and the effects of anxiety on workshop participation. (16 notes with references)…

Reviews the uses of microcomputers in library automation, examines existing library school courses in microcomputing, and discusses the need for further integration of microcomputing into the curriculum. A prototype for an advanced course in microcomputing and the results of an implementation of this course are described. (8 references) (CLB)

Reviews the growth of library networks and bibliographic utilities, and describes the concept of a national bibliographic network. The impact of microcomputers, the increased computer literacy of librarians, preferences for local autonomy, and the availability of commercial online services on the desire for a national system are discussed. (CLB)