Adult students have different backgrounds, knowledge, experiences, abilities, interests, and learning needs. Hence, teaching all learners the same way is not the most effective. Individual differences should be considered. Exposing a whole class to one set of content, exercises, and assessment activities is unrealistic. In other words, to learn…

Adult student transition programs (also known as 18+ programs, 18-21 programs, adult transition programs, and community transition programs) are educational programs that provide instruction in age-appropriate community environments to adult students who have met the state credit and assessment guidelines for graduation but who still require…

Educational program planning is a complex ongoing process and planners should reflect on and consider for all of the involved factors, context, and people. The purpose of this study is to analyze how to plan effective educational programs for adult learners. Adult education is a developmental process and interacts with broad social events. Adult…

More than a third of all undergraduate students are 25 or older, and their presence on college and university campuses is growing. However, institutions of higher learning are struggling to meet the needs of, and improve persistence and completion rates for, this significant student population. "Increasing Adult Learner Persistence and…

This chapter outlines a holistic approach to higher education program planning for adults in which the potential and limitations of conventional universities to serve adults are considered. (Contains 15 references.) (Author)

Describes pilot program at University of Louisville (Kentucky) which was designed to assist in orienting adult learners to the collegiate environment. Addresses special concerns of adult learners, including child care, career planning, academic support, personal support, and financial aid. Explains program development and presentation, materials,…

With fewer recent high school graduates available to attend college, colleges need to increase their efforts to attract adults. If colleges want to attract more adult students, they must develop a comprehensive marketing plan. The marketing process entails a thorough marketing study that includes a detailed institutional analysis, an analysis of…

The author suggests new ways to meet the needs of adult students: develop greater sensitivity to the adult learner's needs; adopt a "total program approach" to adult vocational education; develop creative delivery systems; build alliances with other providers of adult education; and give more attention to adult instructor selection, orientation,…

Suggests looking at adult continuing education as a product in a buyer's market. First presents four questions that should be asked about the consumers of adult education, then lists questions designed to view the product from the consumer's standpoint in terms of quality, assortment, location, and time. (EM)

Describes the Reentry Adult Student Project which sought to identify the educational needs of adult students enrolled in various occupational curricula in New York state two-year colleges and assist in developing programs and support services to meet their needs. Outlines professional reactions to the Project findings. (AYC)

Midlife developmental concerns of returning women students included a focus on the future, the experience of a culminating event, and a mentor relationship. Needs assessment and other programs should reflect these concerns. (Author/JAC)

A sampling of entertainment and service programs provided by colleges and universities specifically to fill the needs of the growing adult student population illustrates the range of possibilities for creative programing. Ideas discussed include child care, programs for seniors and children, professional entertainment, and various support…

The performance of a needs assessment is an important step in developing adult student services. Presents evidence supporting the importance of a needs assessment and examples of needs identified in the past. Discusses a three-step approach to performing a needs assessment and drawbacks associated with the process. (EM)

Nursing faculty from 35 programs met at workshops to discuss problems of admission policies and curriculum design for the increasing number of RNs seeking a BSN degree. Items of concern included the identification of critical issues, curriculum design models, curriculum revision, faculty and administrator attitudes, and student needs. (CT)

The programs and services colleges and universities must implement to effectively meet the needs of adult students are described in the following chapters: (1) "Applying New Perspectives to Educating Adults"; (2) "Understanding Adults' Life and Learning Transitions"; (3) "Moving In: Adults' Needs on Entering Higher Education"; (4) "Designing…