Diagnostic/prescriptive techniques can match adult reading students with appropriate content materials. The Directed Reading Activity is a structured approach that introduces concepts and vocabulary, teaches or reviews specific reading skills, prepares for reading, encourages discussion of content, and follows up on information and skills…

Describes a series of evaluation criteria for self-instructional materials for adult learners that focuses on computer-assisted instruction and interactive video instruction. Five categories are included: (1) content; (2) instructional strategies; (3) instructional presentation; (4) documentation; and (5) technical aspects. (10 references) (LRW)

A study with 40 registered nurses found that individuals labeled as preferring high structure achieved better in low-structure settings and vice versa, a result contrary to outcomes reported in the literature and assumed for years. Findings suggest that student involvement may be a significant component of a successful educational experience. (MSE)

Teachers can nominate parents who have a variety of political and demographic characteristics to serve on school advisory committees. Administrators who have knowledge of group dynamics and of how adults learn will help committees succeed. Outlines basic principles for effective meetings. (MLF)

Discussion of adult learning and education highlights three main issues: foundations, licensure (i.e., certification), and design. Topics discussed include educational theory related to adult learning; the need for additional research in the field of adult education; benefits of certification; instructional design; and the future of adult…

Two studies involving 30 third graders and 26 adults, respectively, assessed whether success at learning to read is related to awareness of phonological structure of spoken language. Differences in phonological awareness appeared to account for much of the variance between good and poor readers at both age levels. (TJH)

In a collaborative approach to supervision of student research, students engage in key themes: mirroring, personal process of inquiry, appropriate methods, internal to external engagement, action to reflection, intellectual competence, and communication. Research supervisors engage in noticing, reflecting, scanning for other themes, and leaving…

Describes training and adult education resources available from ERIC: "Applications of an Adult Motivational Instructional Design Model"; "Visual and Digital Technologies for Adult Learning"; "Applications of Computer-Aided Instruction in Adult Education and Literacy"; and "The San Diego CWELL Project. Report of…

Presents a portfolio assessment model that encourages teachers' professional growth while helping them evaluate their subject-matter knowledge; intellectual and problem-solving abilities; pedagogical skills; curriculum knowledge, insight, and skill; knowledge of learners and learning; and attitudes and dispositions. States that when teachers…

The effects of feedback (explicit correction) on the learning of morphological generalizations were studied in 79 adult native speakers of English with varying levels of proficiency in French. Among the findings was that the learning of absolute exceptions was more likely among advanced learners. (69 references) (Author/LB)

Observation of and interviews with the instructor and seven learners in a retirement center painting class focused on the physical environment, student and teacher-student interaction, and the artwork. Findings revealed a classroom climate characterized by practices for facilitating learning: mutual respect, collaboration, critical thinking, and…

Planning for adult learning necessitates (1) identifying learner needs; (2) specifying aims and objectives; (3) rethinking content from learners' point of view; and (4) consulting and negotiating with adult students. (SK)

Dastoor discusses neurolinguistic programing (NLP), a model for understanding human behavior and a set of communication and learning techniques based on the belief that people have preferred modes of acquiring and processing information. Reed explores learner-centered learning. (JOW)

A group of 30 Nevada teachers participated in a summer institute to explore reservoirs and tributaries of the Truckee River. These river studies increased teachers' awareness of water as the life source supporting numerous living creatures and social, cultural, and political issues. Using their newfound cultural and ecological perspectives to…

A survey of 405 adults and interviews with 19 showed the majority of learning experiences were informal. For learning to be significant, it must personally affect the learner by expanding skills or causing a transformation, and it must be subjectively valued by the learner. (SK)