This occasional paper is a summary of what the staff of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) Dissemination Initiative learned about how to connect research, policy and practice in ways that promote evidence-based practice in the field of adult learning and literacy. NCSALL Tools for connecting practice, policy,…

Theory and research provide insight into the characteristics, needs, and teaching preferences of adult learners in the college classroom. This chapter provides an overview of the literature on adult learning and education theory, along with recommendations for practice. (Contains 46 references.) (Author)

NCSALL's (National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy's) Practitioner Dissemination and Research Network (PDRN) set out to create and support systematic partnerships between practitioners and university researchers to better connect research and practice, with the ultimate outcome of improved practice, policy, and services for…

This symposium paper reviews the literature on adult students in higher education and offers a model of their collegiate experiences. The review is organized according to the following themes: adults' experiences in higher education, social and psychological concerns, the role of the classroom, adult cognition, the adult-world surroundings, and…

This report contains six research papers and a summary of a panel discussion on the topic of cognition and the adult learner. The papers are as follows: "Psychology and Adult Cognition" (Wilbert J. McKeachie); "Biology and Adult Cognition" (Frank Farley); "Technology and Adult Cognition" (Barbara Grabowski); "Enhancing Cognitive Skills" (Richard…

The conference provided a forum for practitioners and researchers to discuss practices, concepts, evaluation and research studies in order to improve practice in adult education. Included are the following: "Realizing the Potential for Grounded Theory in Adult Education" (Babchuk et al.); "Behind the Smoke and Mirrors of Reorganization" (Benson);…

In an effort to examine the usefulness of adult learning research for improving college teaching, this study investigated tenets of adult learning research which may be manifest in effective college teaching and sought the perceptions of administrators, faculty and students. The study incorporated a multi-site, integrated research design combining…

This report provides an overview of the second year of the Family Education and Training Program, a project constructed to: (1) investigate the impact of a comprehensive child care training program on the employability of low-income mothers; and (2) assess the effect of training and support in parenting and job readiness on parenting skills and…

The following 26 papers are presented in this document: "The Relationship between the Adult's Cognitive Style and Achieving Style to Preference for Self-Directed Learning" (Bitterman); "Developing a Mentoring Program for Persons in Independent Work Sites" (De Vries); "Reflection and the Problem of Self-Deception in Adult Learning" (Dirkx); "A…

This document contains three papers from a symposium on tools in human resource development (HRD). "Game Theory Methodology in HRD" (Thomas J. Chermack, Richard A. Swanson) explores the utility of game theory in helping the HRD profession address the complexity of integrating multiple theories for disciplinary understanding and…

These proceedings comprise 33 presentations. They are "Glaser or Strauss?"(Babchuk); "Reframing Participation in Adult Education Programs" (Babchuk); "Multicultural Adult Education as Discourse in the Social Construction of Reality" (Baptiste); "Political Construction of Adult Education" (Baptiste, Heaney);…

This book synthesizes both the theoretical and practical perspectives of experienced practitioners of the craft of adult education. The book contains 14 chapters. "The New World of Continuing Education" (Alan Thomas) clarifies common terms in historical context. "We Have with Us Yesterday: Teaching Lessons from the Past" (Michael Welton) presents…

Among the 59 papers are: "Comparisons in Performance of Adults and High School Seniors on the 1988 Tests of General Educational Development (GED)" (Baldwin, Whitney); "Research Writing" (Baskett, Garrison); "Popular Education in Latin America" (Beder); "Framework for the Study of Ethical Issues in Adult…

This document presents the national plan for research and development (R&D) in adult education and literacy that was developed by the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL). The document begins by explaining the process used to develop the plan, which included conducting a literature review, obtaining input from a national steering group, and…

A conference on research to practice in adult, continuing and community education included the following papers: "Education as a Community Intervention Strategy" (Ashcraft, Andrews); "Assessing Educational Needs of Adults: An Ohio Extension Example" (Bratkovich, Miller); "Questions and Issues Related to a Lack of…