Explores developmental needs of adult students from age and gender perspectives, reviews implications, and makes recommendations for adapting academic and student services to accommodate those needs. (Author)

Examined nonpersistence among 83 nonpersisting students using Tinto's model and compared retention risks for traditional-aged and nontraditional-aged students. Found that traditional- and nontraditional-aged students showed same risk factors for dropping out: both had parents with low educational levels, attempted to combine education with…

Reviews research on the relationship between self-directed learning and selected demographic predictors. Concludes that student age may be an important determinant of success at the college level but is not significant in postsecondary art education programs. Finds that education level is a more accurate predictor among older adults. (CFR)

A study investigated, within a cognitive attentional framework, whether amount (single/multiple) and type (teacher-centered/learner-centered) of exposure to the same morphological information had positive effects on first-semester adult learners' second language development of morphological forms, and whether there is any differential performance…

Draws on the perspectives of 11 older women preparing to become teachers in the United Kingdom to illustrate the dilemmas faced by mature teacher trainees. Mature women frequently become isolated and marginalized in college and face discrimination when looking for jobs. (SLD)

Relates the experience of a middle school reading teacher who also teaches a weekly general equivalency diploma (GED) class to adult learners. Describes two of her most memorable adult students, and notes how working with adult learners has helped the author appreciate their persistence and desire to learn, and has helped her with her middle…

Investigated whether beginning adult learners, given auditory stimuli, were equally likely to represent French gender subclasses using phonological, morphosyntactic, and/or semantic representations. Data from adult English speakers learning patterned French and translation equivalent lists indicated that the construct of input for gender learning…

Once regarded as a by-product for colleges and universities, continuing-education programs now provide needed revenues. Adult students now account for half of all college enrollments. Many full-time faculty are dismissive of adult-education classes, often taught by adjunct professors, but the programs are gaining respect among administrations.…

Adult postsecondary students (n=322) completed the Gregorc Style Indicator. The concrete sequential style predominated; 43% had dominance in two styles; there were slight differences among the program areas of business, health occupations, and trade and industrial education. (SK)

Discusses differences in world views, describing the European educational tradition and the Aboriginal world view, highlighting a teacher education course adapted to the needs of older indigenous students; discussing experiences teaching Aboriginal students; noting the importance of recognizing Aboriginal culture and its value in education; and…

Research on mature graduate students' approaches to learning indicates that quantitative conceptions of learning predominate, but also suggests an additional model. Examines empirical data concerning the stability of these conceptions over time in the context of graduate education, and argues for further research into a conception which holds that…

Three test administration procedures for making placement decisions in adult education were compared (paper-based, computer-based, and computerized-adaptive tests) with 90 adult-education students. Test performance was not differentially affected by the mode of administration, but the computerized adaptive test always yielded more precise ability…

Matched pairs of 177 adult students in a cohort degree program and 165 in a noncohort degree program were surveyed. Cohort groups had higher grade point averages and significantly higher affective learning. Males, younger students, and those early in their program gained the most from cohorts. Overall cohort gains were not as high as those in…

Examined the educational experiences of nontraditional, ethnic minority, women students in the United Kingdom who were involved in a community-based, flexible access to higher education project in the inner city, highlighting financial and institutional barriers they experienced. Students were frustrated participants in an unresponsive…

A survey of 43 Scottish open university students, aged 28-87, who were studying another language, examined extent of bilingualism; schooling in and exposure to other languages in youth; school, family, media, and travel influences on language attitudes; and motivations for language study. Social and educational legacies affecting student…