For adult English language learners, the English language classroom provides a space for students to examine cultural as well other identities. However, discussions often center on racial, rather than sexual identities. In addition, attention to how adult English language instructors engage in classroom practices that focus on sexual identities is…

A brief description of the Adult Learning Laboratory which was established at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, for continuing education programs of the American College of Life Underwriters. (AK)

Tests reported here provide support for the hypothesis that word frequency rather than regularity of spelling is the decisive factor in the ability of both native and non-native English speakers to spell certain items correctly. (FWB)

Discusses how to design interactive video materials for adult learners. Highlights include capabilities of interactive video; characteristics of adult learners; allowing adults to set their own goals; establishing a need to know; linking new information to prior knowledge; and individual responsibility for learning.(LRW)

Offers reasons for the declining literacy rate of new military recruits and makes suggestions for improving performance ratings in military training. Recommendations include visually attractive presentations, simple language, performance testing, a relaxed learning environment and feedback, and addressing the learner as an adult. (MER)

In creating mathematics materials for adult basic education students, researchers (1) interviewed students and teachers to determine needs and objectives; (2) developed materials based on consumer mathematics skills; and (3) evaluated effectiveness by a pretest/posttest and student, teacher, and administrator questionnaires. Results showed the…

Adults differ from traditional-age college students in that they are self-directed, they have a rich bank of experiences upon which to draw in learning, they are ready to learn, and they value competence. Adults may learn equally well by performing different learning tasks. Second language learning activities and instructional materials can be…

This document consists of a brief project report and a manual developed by the Adult Learners' Training and Assistance Program. The report describes how instructors at Luzerne County Community College (Pennsylvania) learned about the basic/essential elements of cooperative learning by actively experiencing cooperative learning instructional…

Considers the design of instructional materials to help adult learners use higher-order thinking skills, especially for future multimedia instruction. Topics include learning processes, self-directed learning for adults, effective and efficient learning, funding for adult education, and instructional technology. (LRW)

Describes a systematic method for producing pictures to accompany textual instructional materials. The resulting instructional design model is then used in an attribute by treatment interaction study of post-secondary school students that was designed to investigate the role of analogical pictures in adult learners' acquisition of higher level…

A project implemented a new tutor training model that used integrative learning strategies to teach more effectively to different intelligences and learning styles of adult learners. A 15-hour tutor training curriculum focused on designing lessons that do the following: involve several learning styles and intelligences, encourage an equal…

Project IMAGES (Improving Management of Adults/Guiding and Educating Staff) was conducted throughout Pennsylvania to provide two three-hour training sessions for the special needs of both experienced and inexperienced staff of adult basic education programs. Instruction was given in the counseling areas of age variance management and the…

This paper contains a concise summary of the theory and practice of competency-based education, especially as it applies to adult education. The paper first defines competency-based education (CBE) and details the assumptions on which CBE is based. It then lists the critical components for effective CBE and cites the advantages of using a…

This study was originally designed to investigate the effectiveness of using specially adapted, existing programs from the NOVA Television series for helping older citizens to understand the scientific issues that underlie public policy; in particular, to promote understanding of the interdependence of technology development and basic science…

Reviews current findings of empirical research on older adult learning, notes key differences in how older adults and young people learn, and suggests strategies that could be used to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of instruction designed for the elderly. (33 references) (Author/LRW)