Curricular considerations concerning extension education to primarily adult and part-time students are discussed with emphasis on courses offered for credit. Some historical notes on land-grant colleges are presented. Seven conditions under which off-campus public-service-oriented (directed to the general public) instruction becomes a curricular…

The progress of students under 21 years old at the United Kingdom's Open University (OU) was compared with a sample of mature students, using sociological and psychometric research methods. The research goal was to consider whether the OU's teaching system originally designed for adults is suited to the needs and circumstances of students in the…

The demographic and evaluative data from a follow-up mail survey of 2,194 graduates (1975-76) of twelve Pennsylvania community colleges are presented with emphasis on Delaware County Community College (DCCC). Statewide findings included the following: (1) the median age was 25.2, but students over 30 represented 20.6%; (2) 52.9% were female; (3)…

A study was done to gather and compare data regarding continuing education needs of New York State adults, the present delivery system for continuing education in the state, and inservice training needs of continuing education faculty and administrators. The study had a three-part data collection effort. Subsequent to developing survey…

The objectives of this handbook, prepared by and for instructors at the Community College of Vermont (CCV), are to assist in course planning, in keeping courses lively and pertinent throughout the term, and in evaluating student learning. The first section provides background information on the college, its history, its educational philosophy, its…

The educational experience of adult immigrants to the United States between 1914-24 is discussed. Attempts of educators and Americanization agencies to reach adult immigrants are described and reasons for the failure of these attempts are given, including inadequate funding, narrowness in subject matter and methods, and insensitivity to ethnic…

The report, based on the first 11 month's field test experience of the New York State external high school diploma program with its competency-based assessment system, provides background information for use by adult educators in program development. The positive impact of the program and a brief overview of its objectives are presented. Section…

There are more than 60 million U. S. adults who lack a high school diploma. Their employability is decreasing, due to the upswing in white collar occupations. Also, they are often barred from the skilled and unskilled labor market; on-the-job training is increasingly academic; General Educational Development (GED) examinations are rigorous and the…

One of the most important implications for professional adult educators drawn from this review of the literature (emphasizing seven research studies which focus on the individual learner) stems from the increasing evidence that adults plan a great deal of learning for themselves without any assistance or intervention from professional adult…

Research investigated the relationships between the characteristics of adult learners, aged 17 to 67, and their responses to learning via multi-media instructional programs. Students read materials in accounting and psychology, viewed video lessons and listened to audio tapes; post-treatment data were then collected. Results showed that: 1) the…

This study was performed on a sample of 1,276 part-time (PT) and full-time (FT) Language Learning Center (LLC) students enrolled in French, Spanish, German and Russian during FY67-74. The study sought to: (1) develop a statistical data base for use in future curriculum and testing studies; (2) examine factors affecting language learning success;…

A study comparing the speech used by English-as-a-second-language teachers (N=4) when instructing beginning- and advanced-level adult classes found that display questions and self-repetitions were used much less often with advanced students, suggesting that students are being prepared, as they advance in classes, for real communicative…

Millions of students and adult learners who aspire to college are overwhelmed by the complexity of student aid. Uncertainty and confusion rob them of its significant benefits. Rather than promote access, student aid often creates a series of barriers--a gauntlet that the poorest students must run to get to college. Replacing complexity with a…

A study researched the impact of the portfolio development process as an instructional strategy that promotes increased critical thinking, organization, communication, and self-reflection abilities. The inquiry began with a case study of eight adult learners representative of the student population of a nontraditional undergraduate program with a…

Adults may seek out learning at different times in their lives, for different reasons, and for vastly different purposes. Some of the reasons are to achieve pre-determined goals; to fill education gaps; to explore options and make choices; to develop personally; to perform a job or role better; or to enhance employment prospects. Learning itself…