In 1977, almost 60 percent of all Open University courses were using audio and visual media in combination: either sound broadcasting with visual materials or audio-vision with the sound distributed on cassette or discs. Research has shown that students prefer radio-vision to radio alone. It appears that future growth may be in the area of…

The degree to which early enrollees in an adult distance learning program elected to take these courses rather than to enroll in traditional on-campus programs was assessed, along with the effects of participation on enrollees' ensuing behaviors and attitudes toward continuing education. The State University of Nebraska (SUN) Program was initiated…

A study was conducted in Spokane, Washington, to determine motivational factors and preferred conditions that would encourage adults to participate in learning activities. Interviews were conducted with 600 randomly selected households (89 percent success rate) distributed across the age, educational attainment, occupational, and socioeconomic…

The availability of evening and weekend baccalaureate degree credit courses and factors that discourage institutions from introducing or expanding such courses were investigated through a fast response survey that was sent to a national sample of universities and other four-year colleges. Among the findings are the following: almost three-fourths…

A theory concerning low achievement of student that applies to adult education is developed, based on an interconnection between cognitive and affective domains. A holistic picture of what happens to students may be gained from Piaget's theory of intellectual development, Bloom's hierarchy of cognitive abilities, theories proposing that what…

Recently there has been an increase in the enrollment of older students in post-secondary institutions. Among these students is a group of delayed entrants who have not gone directly from high school to the university. Motivation seems to be an important factor in the decision to return to school and to subsequent success. Personal interviews…

The Adult Reading Academy, a federally-funded service of the Phoenix Union High School District, serves native- and foreign-born adult students who are deficient in the basic skills of reading, writing, arithmetic, and oral communication. In 1980/81, the program served 476 students at 17 sites. Approximately 24 percent of the clients served were…

Companies commit 2 to 5 billion dollars annually to employee tuition assistance plans, and an estimated 17 to 24 million employees are eligible for some form of tuition assistance. Despite these figures and despite widespread interest in the tuition-aid idea, a low 3 to 5 percent of eligible employees currently take advantage of the educational…

Deans and directors of continuing education programs were surveyed to determine continuing education enrollments, staffing, and program emphases. The study objective was to assess the extent to which continuing education programs may provide new sources of professional challenge for traditional faculty. In 1979, 125 deans and program directors…

A needs assessment questionnaire was designed to assess the practical and psychological needs of mature women returning to college, and to compare these needs with those of returning men and traditional-age students. Demographic characteristics of the different groups were also examined. It is shown that the average returning woman is an…

Learners enrolled in multimedia courses offered by the State University of Nebraska (SUN) during its fall 1974 and spring 1975 offerings are described. This report consists of four sections. The first provides an overview of the courses--Accounting I, Introductory Psychology, Making It Count (Computers), and Consumer Experience. The second section…

General demographic characteristics of State University of Nebraska (SUN) learners are reported, based on information drawn from the registration form and the Student Information Questionnaire. Thirteen tables are presented with data on: median age of SUN learners; distribution of sexes; marital status; family status; annual income; size of town…

Based on a period of two and one-half years, during which the State University of Nebraska (SUN) has offered 15 multimedia courses to Nebraska learners, this report offers a statistical summary of student characteristics. The courses offered include: Accounting I, Accounting II, Adams Chronicles, American Economy, Anyone for Tennyson, Classic…

The nine articles in this collection by members of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges' Task Force on the Uses of Mass Media for Learning are concerned almost entirely with television, since the telecourse is the medium with which the most experience has been gained and which has the most potential for many community…

This literature review focuses on the role of the community college in meeting the needs of adults seeking assistance in mid-life career changes. Factors such as longer life spans, better health, increased leisure time, and greater emphasis upon the quality of life increase the need for mid-life vocational counseling, leisure counseling programs,…