Describes the study circle concept that pioneered in Sweden during the last century. Suggests that study circles can be sustained if their usefulness for education, communication, and leadership development can be demonstrated to organizations. Offers multiple forms of study circles for organizational use. (JOW)

Resistance to self-direction in learning often results from misconception: self-direction is all or nothing, implies learning in isolation, is a fad, is not worth the time, is an easy way out for teachers, and is the one best way for adults. The relationship of self-directed learning to humanist concepts also gives rise to resistance. (SK)

Adult learners are not simply larger children, and the process for the adult learner needs to be addressed. This includes establishing goals and objectives, developing curriculum, setting requirements and conditions of learning, and determining what changes in behavior constitute learning. (Author/JOW)

Although many doctoral candidates are adult learners, the dissertation process does not reflect such adult learning concepts as learning style differences, collaboration, empowerment, and reflection. The assumption that there is only one way to do doctoral work and only one type of student that can succeed in it should be challenged. (SK)

Diverse ways people learn in their work include learning from mistakes, self-education on and off the job, practice of personal values, application of theory, skills practice, problem solving, interaction with others, lateral planning, advocacy, leadership, formal training, and practice of quality assurance. (SK)

In collaborative learning partnerships, the relationship is as important as the knowledge sought. Partners in learning, including mentors-proteges and teams, have these characteristics: shared goals, trust, respect, loyalty, complementary qualities, synergy, and valued relationships. (SK)

Learning partnerships in formal education settings can empower and enrich learners. Learning partnerships experience developmental stages: formation, working together, and developing self-awareness. Successful partners integrate the intellectual and personal aspects of the relationship. (SK)

Develops a typology of learning for volunteering, including the types of learning (instrumental, communicative, emancipatory) and examples of formal, nonformal, informal, and incidental education that take place with each. (SK)

Naturalistic inquiry and content analysis were used to examine the lives of successful adult learners. When confronted with failure, these learners engaged in problem solving, visioning, objectifying, emotional, reflecting, partnering, and active learning behaviors that motivated them toward further achievement. (SK)

Internal computer networks, or intranets, are a way for organizations to provide learning opportunities and performance support. The value of intranets depends on the quality of resources, the degree to which they are maintained, and ease of use. Users need help in learning to use these resources for optimal benefit. (SK)

Critical reflection illuminates power dynamics and assumptions underlying experience. Adult educators can model critical reflection by viewing what they do through four lenses: their autobiographies as adult learners, their students' viewpoint, their colleagues' viewpoint, and the lens of theory. (Contains 34 references.) (SK)

Considers the implications of globalization for rethinking instruction. Suggests the use of location/dislocation in the sense of positioning as a metaphor and discusses its application to the theory of experiential learning. Contains 38 references. (SK)

In a postmodern world, experiential learning is located within a powerful consumerism offering illusions of choice. A framework of cultural theory and psychoanalysis suggests that experiential learning requires a holistic cultural psychology of human agency to transcend the narrow vocationalist discourse of lifelong learning. (Contains 41…

Explains the importance of understanding the centrality of social context to learning. Describes forms of situated learning in practice: cognitive apprenticeships and communities of practice. (Contains 28 references.) (SK)

Emotions experienced as imaginative engagement are central to making meaning from experience. Entering into conscious dialogue with images provides a method of making sense of emotions in adult learning. (Contains 40 references.) (SK)