Self-directed learning has contributed significantly to adult learners' personal and professional growth. Approximately 70% of adult learning is through a self-directed learning context (Heimstra, 2008). This quantitative correlational study involved an attempt to determine the nature of the relationship between situational, dispositional, and…

This study investigated informal learning activities among low-education adults, using data from the 2005 National Household Education Survey. Survey respondents were asked about their participation in six types of informal learning activities, from reading books to using computers to attending conventions. Respondents with the lowest educational…

This investigation was undertaken to investigate the threshold levels of literacy and language proficiency necessary for adult learners to use the Internet for independent learning. The report is triangulated around learning from large-scale surveys, learning from the literature, and learning from the field. Reported findings include: (1)…

In 2002-03, a qualitative study examined the experiences of 70 stakeholders connected to two community-based adult literacy programs in Manitoba, Canada. Self-directed learning was one of several elements that these research participants considered essential to the learning process. These literacy stakeholders defined self-directed learning as a…

This research describes course design elements most valued by adult learners in blended learning environments that combine face-to-face contact with Web-based learning. It identifies the online course features and the instructional design goals selected as most important by a sample of 67 adults and compares the group rankings with those of…

An 18-month study examined the way adults learn in rural settings, particularly those adults over the age of 25 who have not completed a high school education or its equivalency. The study was organized into three major phases. The first phase consisted of a survey interview of 93 adults living in a rural county in Vermont. The second phase…

This guide addresses issues around organizing learning services for students in ways that make sense for them, and what the research says about it. The focus is on the structure and organization of instruction and how practitioners can broaden the range of options that students have so that classes aren't the only option. This guide provides all…

This handbook, which is based on a self-directed format, is written for adult education specialists, curriculum designers, and learning facilitators who want to help adult workers develop the basic skills needed for improved job performance. Discussed in part 1 are reasons for teaching basic skills in the workplace, considerations in developing…

This document is intended to assist adult educators in helping their students develop the confidence and test-taking skills required to overcome test anxiety. Section 1 contains the following items: an instrument designed to help students privately assess their standing on the anxiety scale; a play which explores flashing back to earlier negative…

These proceedings contain 46 papers. Brief English-language titles include: "Some Research Findings on Study Methods in Adult Distance Education" (Bajtelsmit); "Self Planned Professional Learning among Public School Adult Education Directors" (Beder, et al.); "Participation in Study Circles and the Creation of Analysis" (Beder, et al.);…

The proceedings contains: "Extending Equality" (Armstrong); "Phenomenology of Emergent Meaning from Dialectical Questioning and Answering in Adult Learning (AL)" (Xue-Ming Bao); "Study of Structural Dimensions and Predictive Capability of Adult Attitudes toward Continuing Education Scale and Education Participation Scale" (Blunt); "Ideological and…

"Focus on Basics" is the quarterly publication of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. It presents best practices, current research on adult learning and literacy, and how research is used by adult basic education teachers, counselors, program administrators, and policymakers. Articles appearing in this issue…

This book contains the following collection of papers: "Self-Directed Learning: Emerging Theory and Practice" (Long); "Self-Directed Orientation toward Learning: A Learning Style" (Bonham); "Self-Direction and Problem Solving: Theory and Method" (Peters); "Facilitating Self-Directed Learning: Not a Contradiction…

The following are among the 55 papers in this volume: "Implications of Person-Environment Congruence in Adult Learning Environments" (Agee); "Reliability and Validity of the Alternate Form of the Education Participation Scale" (Boshier); "Research and Developments in the Neurosciences" (Boucouvalas); "Professional Writing Activity among Professors…

Among the 61 papers in this volume (some in French) are the following: "Problems and Pitfalls in a Naturalistic Inquiry into the Relationship between Environmental Remembrance and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly" (Barrick); "Educating the Adult Educator" (Baskett); "Socio-Psychological Factors in Electronic…