Malcolm Knowles, in his theory of adult learning (1972, revised 1980), presents adults as motivated, self-directed learners. Basically, once a person starts seeing himself or herself as an adult, he or she has an expectation of being independent in decision-making, valuing personal experience, and desiring respect. Courses, curriculum, and…

This paper outlines the background and preliminary findings of a study currently in progress in Perth, Western Australia, to investigate the relationship between competence based training and the development of lifelong learning skills. The paper explores both the underlying aims of competency-based training (CBT) and the educational antecedents…

Selecting appropriate teaching strategies to optimize learning of a particular body of knowledge presents a challenge to adult educators. There has been little emphasis, however, on the role that subject matter plays in the learning process. From a literature review, a model that relates teaching methods to subject matter and learner dependence…

A study examined the factors related to learning occurring in an adult education program. A purposeful sample of Ohio counties and 151 participants in a specific 1993-1993 adult education program who self-selected to participate in the study was used. A descriptive ex post facto study design was used. Pretests-posttests were administered to…

Field-tested in libraries nationwide, the 13 strategies in this hands-on book are designed to help librarians create effective and accountable adult literacy programs. These step-by-step assessment tools will help in: identifying and evaluating the skill levels of learners; making program changes based on users' aptitudes; writing thorough and…

This paper describes a workshop that aims to change adult students' attitudes toward early number work in order to give them a different perspective and help them make mathematics their own so that they will no longer be looking for the teacher's approval to tell them whether what they have done is correct. (ASK)

A February 1973 report of the Joint Committee on the Master Plan for Higher Education (California) is the source of this study of adult learning needs. (Editor)

Critical evaluation of A Modern English Course'' (Munich: Hueber, 1972) with specific reference to contrastive presentation of English vocabulary with corresponding German translations. (RS)

Discusses the organization of communication in the class in order to facilitate student interaction and the part played by classroom seating arrangements. (Author/RK)

Robert von Erdberg advocated an intensive, individualized education for the working classes to wield them together with other groups in Germany after unification in 1871. This attempt to help the workers socially and economically revolutionized the concept of adult education. (DS)

Appropriate media for instruction should be selected on the basis of the students' own abilities and characteristics, as shown by this study on adult learners with different backgrounds. (AN)

Institutions of higher education and nonprofit, volunteer-dependent agencies have much in common but are also potential competitors for public and private support, media attention, volunteer energies, and clients. New partnerships must address four issues: organizations, personnel, curriculum, and learners. (MLW)