Adult students have become the new majority in online distance education. Research in online distance education, however, is still predominantly based on the historical perspective of the traditional student profile. This study examines adult students' learning engagement in online courses and explores the impact of online course design models and…

Background and Context: The context for this study is the American legislative landscape covering the past 35 years, which witnessed a shift in political philosophies concerning the role of government in ensuring the social welfare of its citizens--from a focus on a "safety net" to a focus on "individual responsibility." We frame these contrasting…

Describes "New Start," a course designed for persons over 21 who are considering enrollment in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Auckland. The program goals are to provide students with (1) information about the structure of the program, (2) knowledge of skills needed for success, (3) familiarity with course offerings, and (4)…

Critical element in self-concept theory is the total perception which the individual has of himself. Thus, the most important force influencing success or failure of the adult learner is the relative adequacy or inadequacy of his self-concept. (Author/MS)

Provides a brief summary of the overall recommendations, and quotations from passages salient to adult education. (EB)

A study of relationships between student qualifications and training success in electronic data processing. One table (student characteristics). (Author/LY)

A consideration of society's expectations from science education, with particular reference to adult education as an environment for the study of such problems. (Author/NL)

The Open University will provide for those who cannot take three years to obtain a degree -- full time employees and housewives. It will also increase knowledge to the general public. (NL)

Discusses the use of role playing in training and the reluctance of adults in classroom situations to participate. Presents guidelines to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of role-playing resistance syndrome. (JOW)

Data from 1,142 adult students confirmed the seven-factor typology of the Educational Participation Scale. Reliability of scales was acceptable. Construct validity was tested by predicting membership in three curricular groups: arts/leisure, personal development, and professional development. Results revealed distinctive characteristics and…

Miscue analysis helps reveal whether readers are relying on graphic or visual decoding techniques and are ignoring contextual cues. Diagnosis can aid in the selection of reading improvement strategies. (SK)

Talks about the challenges of teaching Generation Xers--those born between 1961 and 1981--and how they differ from other adult learners. Discusses the differences between them and Baby Boomers. (JOW)

Adult educators can prepare learners for self-direction by considering the learners' level of technical skill, familiarity with the subject matter, sense of personal competence as learners, and the context of learning. (SK)

Outlines three approaches to numeracy instruction: (1) traditional positivism, the transfer of knowledge from teacher to student; (2) constructivism, in which learning is contextual and culturally meaningful; and (3) critical constructivism, which enables students to reflect on learning and its social context. (SK)

Adults have different power relationships with the "teacher" and bring into educational settings varied experiences. They should be encouraged to develop as self-directed learners, which requires certain personal characteristics, a conducive environment, development of self-direction skills, and facilitation. (SK)