The inquiry-based approach in museum education often takes the form of an educator asking open-ended questions to facilitate discussions around artworks, while encouraging students in careful observation and interpretive processes. However, although art museums are emphasizing learners' experiences and their interpretative processes, adult…

This case study examines how The Clay Studio, a ceramic-arts studio, gallery and shop in Philadelphia, attracted younger audiences to its workshops and exhibits. In 2007, the studio became concerned that its audience was getting older and few newcomers were signing up for classes or making purchases. The studio had to engage younger professionals…

Advocates experiential education in parental education classes. Explores the definition of experiential learning, why it succeeds, and how to incorporate it. Specifically addresses: (1) the learning part; (2) sensory input; (3) interpretation and organization; (4) metaphors; (5) motion; (6) types of activities; and (7) long-term implementation.…

Describes members of a citizen group as aggressive and dynamic adult learners addressing complex problems. Assistance that adult education agencies might provide similar groups and criteria for determining whether to do so are explored. Contrasts the tradition of serving individual needs with benefits of helping citizens address community…

The LifeSkills Center for Leadership (Minneapolis, Minnesota) offers leadership seminars and workshops to help Native Americans of all ages become more positive, confident, and responsible. The youth program focuses on communication, decision making, responsibility, and team building. Experiential activities help youth identify self-defeating…

Following a literature review, this article analyzes the financial impact of credits for experiential learning on a major midwestern university. Both students and the institution appear to have benefited economically. Questions are raised concerning who should benefit from publicly supported education--students, society, or all three. Includes 28…

Teaching Adult Students Mathematical Investigation is based on the continuing research work carried out for the last ten years of teaching on the Foundation Course in Mathematics at Goldsmiths, University of London. Teaching Mathematical Investigation to adult students is a very challenging and often rewarding experience for adult educators as…

This paper reviews service learning definitions and principles to illustrate common threads connecting service learning philosophy across contexts. Although there is general agreement that service learning occurs in school-based and community-based categories, it cannot be universally defined. Definitions from K-12, higher education, and adult…

The goals, services, and administration of North Shore Community College's (NSCC) Center for Alternative Studies (CAS) were the subject of the workshop described in this report, which was conducted by the National Council of Community Services and Continuing Education. After the workshop's agenda is presented, the text is provided of CAS Director…

Suggests alternatives to traditional methods of "dispensing" higher education to lifelong learners, focusing on changing teacher responsibilities, older college students, crediting experiential learning, extending services to private and public agencies, and learning contracts. Cites two examples of using contract learning. (JM)

Discusses competency-based education and its implications for lifelong learners. Describes the program at Alverno College, the Metropolitan Area Nursing Education Consortium, and the Personalized Learning and Teaching Opportunity (PLATO) program, focusing on the favorable response of adults to the self-discipline required and evidence of an…

Discusses strategies for transforming community colleges to meet the highly individualized, experiential, community-based learning needs of adult students. Underscores the importance of making lifelong learning part of the institutional mission, administrative commitment, redefining faculty roles and financial underpinnings, an appropriate…

Reviews documents available in the ERIC system which describe innovative and easily accessible lifelong learning programs in relation to policies affecting lifelong learning, educational information centers, cooperative arrangements with business, flexible scheduling, informing the public, and experiential learning. (JM)

Four rural communities in northern Maine were the setting for a pilot program in Indian adult education that featured a new kind of instructional model. Developed by the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), it featured peer instruction, strict performance orientation, and insistance on mastery of certain skills. A HumRRO representative…

This paper focuses on mathematics education in Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) in West Germany. The "dual system" of TVE, a part-time college/part-time on-the-job training scheme that normally leads to a certificate of a qualified worker after three years, is reviewed. Entrance tests for the trainee posts focus heavily on aspects of…