Data from a Literacy Analysis Center longitudinal study indicate that less than 1 in 10 persons (sample of 84 program leavers) discontinue adult literacy programs because they have completed the program. Various situational and institutional causes of attrition are discussed, and recommendations are presented for reducing attrition. (SLD)

Through interviews and questionnaires explores five mature students' approaches to learning statistics from the theoretical perspective of activity theory. Analyses socio-historical factors relating to students' self-regulation of their cognitive activities and interpretation of the contexts affecting their approaches. Appendices include…

Documents the presence of displaced workers in adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes and their work experiences in a changing economy. Class discussions, surveys, and the collection of oral histories in four regions in Southern Ontario elicit common themes that ESL teachers and administrators should focus on in helping learners deal…

Argues that ESL (English-as-a-Second-Language) teachers can aid in the development of critical insights that encourage students in the process of improving their employment possibilities. The article maintains that, through dialog with students, teachers can focus on their own assumptions regarding immigrants' work world. (12 references)…

Discusses a training session, based on a needs assessment, provided for college English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) staff whose students were displaced workers. The needs assessment indicated that teachers needed strategies to help students deal with the racial barriers encountered in their job search and with their anxiety focused on the end of…

College teachers have done an excellent job over the years of teaching technical concepts, but they may not have done as good a job of teaching their adult students to be a good problem-solvers. Nine representatives from the technical industry and academia were interviewed in this study for their expert opinions on the subject of teaching…

Community colleges are undoubtedly aligned in the most strategic positions to affect social and economic change. Numerous factors are playing a part in the shifts felt throughout higher education today. From the recent economic recession that continues to provide America with more displaced workers, unemployed and underemployed adults to the…

This volume presents an overall picture of enrollment trends in Canada, with breakdowns in terms of students' gender, age, type of study (part time, full-time, lifelong learning opportunities), level of degree (bachelor's, master's, PhD) and type of student (domestic, international, Aboriginal, visible minorities). Following this is a discussion…

Reformed Theological Seminary's Virtual Campus has successfully taught the biblical languages online since 1999. This article describes the theoretical principles that underlie the design and asynchronous delivery of online Greek and Hebrew to part-time adult distance students. The structure and administration of the courses is discussed, as well…

Although video has long been used as a teaching aid in adult literacy and basic education, literacy researchers seem to have ignored the potential benefits of using video as a tool that could add rigour to research. Reporting on their field experiences of an adult literacy learning study in Canada, the authors provide a narrative account of their…

In an effort to more effectively disseminate information about community college programs for older adults, this directory was developed for three purposes: to make guidelines available for establishing, expanding, or revising programs; to offer a selection of successful programming models; and to provide a compendium of existing programs. Part I…

This discussion paper examines the current state of practice of adult literacy education in Washington State as well as initiatives to improve program effectiveness in a number of areas, including staff quality and curriculum. The paper discusses staff and curriculum development being undertaken by the ABLE (Adult Basic and Literacy Educator's)…

This annual journal issue contains 22 papers on issues of faculty development, diversity, adult learners, and instructional improvement in higher education. Many of the papers were developed for the annual conference of the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD). The papers are: (1) "What Theories…

This guide is for teachers, tutors, counselors, and others working with adult learners in programs of literacy, adult basic education, General Educational Development test preparation, and English as a Second Language. It is a compendium of short articles written by 50 adult basic educators in Pennsylvania. The articles provide background…

A comprehensive, needs-based portfolio assessment system was developed for use with adult basic education (ABE)/General Educational Development (GED) students at an adult education and job training center in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Consultation meetings were held with ABE/GED instructors, students, administrators, and counselors to identify…