This article describes equity-focused online facilitation. Online approaches for fostering equity and strategies for inclusive practices are explained.

Eighteen internationally trained professionals were paired-up with nine English language instructors for this project. Even though the focus was on extensive listening practice, the learners created spoken messages to send a response to their instructors every week. The schedule and deadlines established helped participants to be organized and…

Learning an additional language as well as acquiring skills for careers and educational opportunities are lifelong learning endeavors. Adult English language learners (ELLs), particularly those at the beginning English proficiency levels, require instruction offering opportunities to meet their goals in life. Using tasks in English as a second…

Designing and facilitating online learning experiences require a repertoire of skills and a unique mindset. This article focuses on adult learners' characteristics, learner-centered principles, and tools for engaging learning in the online environment as a starting point for acquiring these skills.

Critical pedagogy as an instructional approach to teaching and learning focuses on democracy, freedom, and the opportunity to challenge oppressive power structures founded upon hegemonic ideologies. This article presents a critical pedagogy approach to support the instruction of adult English language learners. Such an approach should adopt the…

Whole language learning implies that teachers look at adult learners as whole persons rather than just ESL learners. It asks the teachers to see the learners in their classes as parents, spouses, employees or business owners, neighbors, churchgoers, and members of various communities. In other words, when they approach learners in their classes as…

Concept maps are an instructional strategy that promotes meaningful learning. This chapter examines the use of concept maps in online environments through discussion of CmapTools software. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.)

The idea that popular culture and entertainment media influence us in both conscious and unconscious ways is not new. The use of alternative spaces, such as internet sites, for creating entertainment will continue to influence society and challenge educators. The importance of the internet was reflected in Time magazine's choosing YOU (meaning the…

This chapter discusses how to draw on hip hop as a culturally relevant tool for teaching educators and adult learners to read the word, the world, and the media.

The concept of diversity should include special needs and differences of learners in terms of disability, ethnicity, culture, language, age, gender, experience, and geography. A range of instructional approaches and technologies should be used to help each person learn effectively. (Contains 20 references.) (SK)

This chapter addresses ethical issues that can arise for an educator who ascribes to and practices from the theoretical perspective of transformative learning.

High-quality learning in intensive courses is associated with instructors who are enthusiastic, experienced, good communicators, co-learners, and student oriented. They use active and experiential learning and discussion and create good learning environments. With these characteristics, intensive courses can result in focused learning, in-depth…

Recent discoveries about brain function explain how best practices in adult learning may lead to adult learners' developmental growth.

While technology has for many years been a critical component in programs for adults and calls to mind sophisticated gadgetry with expensive price tags, it is often the nexus where technology and humans intersect that proves most critical to the success and quality of adult degree programs.