The utility of definitions and descriptions applied to adult learning can be effectively measured only by direct application to a specific field of learning, in this case, fine arts. Based on the author's 12 years of experience as an art educator, the article provides a conceptual framework for those who are at the beginning of their pedagogical…

This article discusses the National Issues Forum (NIF), a national, nonpartisan program designed to encourage citizen discussion of important public issues. The programs try to recreate the town meeting concept of reaching consensus on public issues. Short workbooks are available on two reading levels for issues such as the superpowers, crime,…

Designed for use with "A Curriculum Guide for the Mid-Alabama Adult and Vocational Education Demonstration Center," this booklet contains material intended for graduate students and administrators who are engaged in the preparation, teaching, and/or who are conducting research in Adult Basic Education. The document is divided into three…

This article provides some practical information on use of poetry to teach such subject areas as history, literature, philosophy, social studies, minority and foreign studies, and the social sciences. Reference is made to the Watershed Foundation, which has a large collection of poetry on cassette tapes that feature the original authors reading…

This handbook was designed for educators of adults at varied levels with varying needs. The techniques discussed in the guide can be used in groups, pairs, or individually. The booklet contains two sections: (1) a brief review of different learning styles and the types of activities that work well for each, including visual, auditory,…

This teaching guide introduces and gives advice on using a series of health promotion materials in adult basic education classes. The series was developed with input from adult learners. This guide describes the series and offers advice on staff preparation and suggestions for lesson preparation. The guide is organized in six sections that cover…

This guide contains 55 articles written by adult basic education (ABE) practitioners in Pennsylvania suggesting ways to improve teaching and program administration in the field. The guide is organized into four parts: (1) working together for program improvement, (2) teaching and learning, (3) developing as a professional and (4) appendixes (high…

Activity and involvement are the keys to effective learning in the English as a second language (ESL) classroom. The fragile self-concepts of many adults, however, make them hesitate to plunge into the practice of their newly developed language skills. The answer may lie in simple games and role-playing activities that are useful in establishing…

The new General Educational Development test demands that students read critically. Teaching critical reading presents a twofold challenge to teachers. First, they must help students expand their knowledge in content areas. They must also teach students the skills involved in reading critically. Because the skills entailed in critical reading are…

The relationship established between the Adult Basic Education (ABE) student and teacher in the first minutes of the student's first visit is crucial to the student's motivation and future learning. An ABE instructor suggests strategies to achieve immediate rapport and at the same time determine the student's needs and wanted skills. (MF)

This guide was developed to aid facilitators in delivering orientation sessions for new adult education staff. The orientation is designed for 14-16 hours of class time; the 15 lessons are organized in three 5- to 6-hour days. The following topics are covered in the lessons: (1) introduction and goals; (2) what is literacy?; (3) materials; (4) the…

These curriculum materials were collected from teachers in the Lehman College Adult Learning Center (New York). They include various activities and resources, such as a series of questions about the aims of teaching adults, a list of sources for adult basic education (ABE) materials, poems, and autobiographical materials. Teaching suggestions and…

This three-page guide provides teaching suggestions for learning activities for adult literacy education classes using the book "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant. This book is about a 12-year-old girl, Summer, who has lived with her Aunt May and Uncle Ob since she was 6 years old. After May's death, Summer, Ob and a neighborhood boy begin…

A study was conducted at a program in rural southwest Virginia to determine whether Head Start parents and adult basic education/high school equivalency program students use critical thinking skills. More than 50 definitions of critical thinking were collected, and Bloom's Taxonomy was reviewed for background information. The teachers' manual for…

Discusses three types of low ability students--the beginner, the low-ability student at other levels, and the static student. Suggests methods of helping the low ability student in the ESL classroom. (EKN)