A high level of literacy in both print and digital media is required for negotiating most aspects of 21st-century life, including supporting a family, education, health, civic participation, and competitiveness in the global economy. Yet, more than 90 million U.S. adults lack adequate literacy. Furthermore, only 38 percent of U.S. 12th graders are…

An "orientation" checklist is proposed to aid the adult basic education (ABE) teacher in preparing for instruction. The list reflects a number of issues teachers should consider carefully before meeting with students. The issues concern (1) information about the learners and their characteristics and needs that can be taken into account in…

This paper discusses motivation of adult learners. The first section discusses the adult learner, including the concepts of andragogy and pedagogy, as well as student-centered learning. The second section summarizes changing student demographics and predictions. The third section presents principles of adult learning. The fourth section covers…

General guidelines that can further assist the molding of successful, high-quality, Web-based training for adult learners include: learner-centered curriculum; pedagogically appropriate activities; clearly defined objectives, goals, and expectations; easily accessible content; content in multiple formats; sense of community; shorter, focused…

A great variety and amount of teaching materials and methods related to water quality and other Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerns have been developed. Program developers/trainers responsible for instructional programs will find in ERIC and the Instructional Resources Information System (IRIS) enough material to organize dozens of…

If current trends continue, it is likely that adult programs and adult vocational programs in particular, will play an increasingly important role in the nation's educational system, eventually absorbing the role currently played by secondary vocational education. Therefore, vocational educators must develop new approaches and new attitudes to…

This descriptive report examines the efforts of a faculty team at the University of Minnesota's General College to revise an interdisciplinary general education course on conflict and change so that it would meet the unique educational needs of adult, non-traditional students. The report first describes a proposed course delivery format designed…

This paper discusses the development of a learning approach based on the unique needs of adult learners who are required to learn and use new information technologies. It establishes how the "Inquisitivism" learning approach has evolved from a synthesis of key cognitive learning theories into one cohesive approach and how the…

Developed as a resource for faculty members at the Community College of Vermont (CCV), this four-part handbook provides information about the CCV and presents ideas and strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of teaching. Part I reviews the history of the CCV; examines the institution's mission, goals, and programs; profiles the CCV's teachers…

Intended to help ABE (Adult Basic Education) teachers learn to design effective learning activities, this handbook provides activity suggestions, informative materials, and sample forms and materials. Section 1, Adults as Learners, discusses the adult learner's unique characteristics and includes an article on teaching strategies and learning…

This book, based on the work of a teacher and community development expert with many years of teaching adult education in numerous developing countries all over the world, provides a process for teaching and learning with adults. The book is illustrated with stories from the author's experience and examples that show how to begin, set up, carry…

This guide to working with adult learners approaches the job of the instructor from a threefold perspective that focuses on the role of the instructor as a professional, the needs of the learner, and the instructional process and related technology. Chapter 1 examines the role of an effective instructor as a behavior model and change agent.…

This document is designed to help adult educators implement the Teach with Style model of teaching adults. The introduction discusses how adults learn and the best way to teach them. Chapter 1 explains the tenets of the Teach with Style model, which is based on four distinct instructor styles. Chapters 2-5 detail the strategies and activities…

This guide, which is intended for British further education staff who work with special needs learners, examines the use of information and learning technology (ILT) to improve special needs learners' literacy. Part 1 discusses how information technology resources originally developed for mainstream programs can make information and learning…

This book examines the core principles of adult learning and the roots of andragogy, advances in adult learning, and practice in adult learning. The following are among the topics discussed in the book's 17 chapters: importance of learning theory; theories of learning (concept of part and whole models of development, theories based on elemental…