Since "adult learning" is not a well-defined field, the content of any graduate course called "Adult Learning" could be fairly arbitrary. Moreover, when such a course is aimed at applied psychology and education students, learning outcomes such as problem-solving and applications are of utmost importance. Two major curricular topics--course…

Using small learning groups in graduate education is a way to prepare learners to meet the challenges they face as professionals and to enrich and facilitate adult learning in ways that cannot be accomplished as well by members working alone. This technique also helps graduate students develop the skills needed to work productively as group…

This monograph opens with an historical overview of dance in higher education from 1887-1991 and then focuses on issues for the 1990s. The publication is divided into five sections: (1) "Current Perspectives: Overviews of the Field" discusses what constitutes an appropriate dance education at the college level; (2) "Teacher…

One way to approach the question of whether teaching adults is different is by examining the types of learning in which adults engage. Adult learning has been classified as subject oriented, consumer oriented, and emancipatory. Only emancipatory education has been described as unique to adulthood, but even that claim has been challenged. As a…

This six-chapter guide suggests a new approach to describing the knowledge, competencies, and managerial roles inherent in planning effective conferences and institutes. Chapter 1 introduces the many roles of the conferences and institutes program planner and discusses program formats and what makes conference programs unique learning events.…

This guide has been prepared as an aid to the trainer/facilitator of adult education. Section I addresses some of the more common myths concerning adult learners, particularly the 50-plus age group. Section II describes the "to-be" 50-64 age group population, based on literature searches. Section III identifies learners do or do not participate in…

This book contains 17 papers examining the various roles--learner, teacher, researcher, manager--that women have played in the development of lifelong learning. The following papers are included: "Introduction: Women and Continuing Education--Where Are We Now?" (Roseanne Benn, Jane Elliott, Pat Whaley); "Dancing into the Future:…

A study was done of adult students at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in 1991 to gather information on the characteristics of this population. A survey instrument defined the non-traditional student or adult learner as any student over the age of 24 attending MTSU. A total of 1,200 surveys were sent to full-time students, and 300…

Voluntary participation in organized learning activities by adults is probably the most researched subject in the literature of adult education. Research goes back to the earliest days of 20th-century adult education in the United States. Surveys of adult learners within a broad empirical-positivist or policy-oriented framework are still the most…

The typology of adult education offered in the October 1988 issue of "Lifelong Learning" examined a number of classifications, including the Bryson scheme (1936) and the Grattan categories (1955). Since the publication of that article, suggestions have been made for additions to the typology "tree" proposed in the article. The typology categorizes…

This index joins two companion volumes of books and chapters devoted exclusively or primarily to the topic of self-directed learning. The book contains 141 abstracts of books, chapters, published articles and papers, and unpublished ERIC documents. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 provides an analysis of the 141 abstracts reported in…

The educational needs and concerns of midlife and older Americans are as varied as their demographics, family status, economic level, and educational backgrounds. One of the most consistent research findings in adult learning is that the more education people have, the more likely they will be to continue to participate in a wide variety of…

Through the years, many researchers have advanced theories of problem solving. Probably the best definition of problem solving to apply to adult learning programs is Wallas' (1926) four-stage theory. The stages are (1) a preparation, (2) an incubation period, (3) a moment of illumination, and (4) final application or verification of the solution.…

Learning centers are student centered. That is, instructional goals are matched to learner needs and desires and student learning is self-paced. Teachers coordinate the learning process while students explore and experiment with learning materials. The learning center has several advantages over the traditional classroom: (1) it is success…

Three experiments were performed using unrelated digit materials and prose passages to evaluate whether an auditory or visual presentation of material would be best for an aged population. Data suggests that the choice of modality depends on the particular presentation condition rather than on the type of stimulus materials. (Author)