Describes a new model of advisement services for online learners that was developed at Capella University, a totally virtual campus. Discusses advisors' training, that included learning about the characteristics of adult learners and differences between online learning and traditional settings; and a course that teaches online learning strategies.…

The results of a within-subject cross-language study of text comprehension in adult second language (L2) learners are presented. Text comprehension and sentence reading time measures were obtained for matched narrative and procedural texts in English and French from adult learners of French as a second language (FSL) at two levels of French…

Both lifelong learning and community are central to the mission of the National Federation of Women's Institutes (WI). Their website, for example, states that the WI aims to educate women to enable them to provide an effective role in the community, to expand their horizons and to develop and pass on important skills--key elements of lifelong…

This paper aims to provide evidence on the response of various student types to the use of simple grading incentives. The results show that while the majority of students expend the effort to complete an assignment for credit, this response is not uniform. Using data from six semesters of college Economics classes, the study demonstrates that…

In growing numbers, older women persist in pursing bachelor's degrees, although they most likely encounter significant obstacles along the path to completion and earn less than their male counterparts after graduating. The purpose of this interview. based study of twelve such women was to examine why they persisted and what value they placed on…

Students at a musical conservatory in Britain develop ideas of musical success or failure through using notions of 'talent' and 'hard work'. Mature, working-class and younger, middle-class students utilize these notions differently. The latter maintain that innate capacities determine success while the former believe that social factors are also…

This paper discusses how adult literacy educators chose to apply multiple intelligences (MI) theory. The findings fall into two categories of teachers' interpretation, MI-inspired instruction, and MI reflections. The resulting findings were that these MI-inspired teaching approaches helped to reduce teacher directedness and increase student…

Discusses odds of obtaining a bachelor's degree by age of enrolled students. Examines effects of background attributes and adult role events. Argues that women over 25, because of their part-time status, are at a disadvantage for degree completion. Discusses implications of results for policies and practices regarding adult college students. (CAJ)

Many commentators have noted that mature students speak of education changing them. One of the most positive outcomes is a heightened sense of self-belief and confidence, which pervades other areas of their lives, not just the academic environment. It is argued within this paper that such research tends to offer a somewhat simplistic account of…

As more and more teachers leave the classroom, states are looking to actively recruit the returning adult learner into the teaching profession. This study examines an innovative teacher certification program in South Carolina whose goal is to do just that. Issues such as planning and scheduling are presented that offer insight into the design and…

Since the report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher education (1997) on university teaching in the UK, there has been increasing emphasis on the professionalization of university teaching. Following the expansion of higher education, and widening student diversity there is even more of a need for teachers to teach well. Pedagogical…

This article explores the uses of think-aloud protocol with struggling adult readers. In this work, the author explores the varied uses of think-alouds before inquiring into the strategy as an instructional tool for adults. An analysis of the use of think-aloud protocol with adults in a community college classroom reveals its problems and promise…

The abilities of 19 adult students with dyslexia and 19 students without dyslexia to recall number facts were compared. Despite being matched for estimated IQ, the dyslexic students were less accurate than the non-dyslexic students when answering subtraction and multiplication questions. When the dyslexic students answered addition and subtraction…

Mature-age students are a significant group within the Australian sub-degree and undergraduate commencing cohort. Nevertheless, little is known about mature-age student backgrounds or factors that affect their participation at university. This paper draws on a case study that examined the nature and outcomes of Australian alternative entry…

These proceedings record the 70th Annual Conference and Meeting of ACHE (Association for Continuing Higher Education) held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference theme, "The Next Generation: Access and Opportunity in CHE" challenged attendees to think about the coming new age and its…