Describes study designed to (1) determine frequency of use of descriptive research in adult education in the United States, (2) identify range of topics examined by descriptive research, (3) identify data collection procedures, and (4) determine if there is a trend in the publication of descriptive research. (Falmer Press, Falmer House, Barcombe,…

Considers the following areas of legislation: (1) the Portuguese educational system, (2) administrative structures, (3) adult basic education, (4) popular libraries, (5) associations of popular education, and (6) the National Plan for Literacy and Basic Education for Adults. (Author/SK)

This study of selected London newspapers between 1742 and 1765 reveals that advertised educational opportunities for adults, such as public lectures, lecture courses, and private instruction, were relatively expensive. Prior to 1760 medical and scientific topics were emphasized; an emerging interest in dancing, fencing, and music is also noted.…

This study of newspaper advertisements in London and Philadelphia in the mid-eighteenth century reveals similarities in the public lectures and private instruction/evening schools offered for adults. Differences illustrate how colonial Americans were able to modify British institutions for their own needs. (SK)

A study of the articles published in "Adult Education" (their kind, content, number, authors, and indicated trends) concludes that the journal is a useful publication to read to keep abreast of developments in the field of adult education and to determine what is of concern to whom in the field. (Author/AG)

Interviews with 12 female Elderhostel participants elicited 6 themes related to outcomes: appreciation (of self, others, other cultures, history), loyalty to Elderhostel, social contact, travel, learning, and follow-up activities. Coping, influence, expressive, and contributive needs, as well as some higher education goals, were met through…

Historical knowledge is valuable to the adult educator, student, practitioner, or researcher in three different ways. There is philosophical justification for knowing history. There is a cognitive dimension to its value. There is a pragmatic reason for knowing history. A philosophical justification is that knowledge of history contributes to one's…

This study investigated the relative associations of curiosity evoked by surprise and of the perceived value of information to the desire to know more about psychological research topics. Comparison of results to similar research with adolescents suggested that the importance of curiosity as a motivation to learn may decline in adulthood. (CT)

Describes barriers to self-direction in learning from organizations, educators, and learners, emerging from emotions, understanding, and values. Provides an annotated bibliography of 17 sources about overcoming resistance. (SK)

Despite the general observations concerning the association between continuing education and occupation, few studies have been conducted to determine how occupation influences participation. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to ascertain whether particular working conditions are associated with participation in educational…

This study was made to discern the relationship between an adult subject's cognitive level of development and the complexity of the syntactic structure of the language she uses. (Author/JD)

Findings of a questionnaire sent to all state directors of education to identify the major issues in the education of mentally handicapped adults. (GB)

A comparison of urban planners and adult educators; the findings were interpreted as suggesting major differences between the two groups." (Author/SP)

The investigator analyzed all research papers and classified them according to predetermined criteria. Findings indicate that 355 papers of nine different types of research were presented by 347 different individuals including faculty from 83 postsecondary institutions in the U.S. Over half, 55 percent, of the papers were based on descriptive…