In one school of thought, self-directed learning (SDL) is based in the autonomous, independent individual who chooses to undertake learning for personal growth. However, another school of thought stresses the social construction of knowledge and the social context of learning. Some writers challenge the exclusive emphasis on the autonomous self…

The goal of emancipatory learning is to free learners from the forces that limit their options and control their lives and to move them to act for social and political change. Although emancipatory learning is commonly associated with adulthood, not all adult education fosters it, and not all adult educators align themselves with perspectives that…

The 88 conference papers are on six topics: Post Compulsory Structures: New Organisational Patterns in Comparative and Historical Perspective; Priorities for the 1980s; Education and the Working Life; Student Learning: Aims, Processes and Outcomes; Staff Development: Perspectives for the 1980s; and The Role of the Media in Post-Compulsory…

Life cycle and stage theories are used to show how adult learners experience educational programs differently according to their individual developmental stages. It is argued that quality adult education can and should affect a person's perspective and create new life meanings. (JSR)

Partly in response to declining enrollments, Huron College redefined its mission to stress intergenerational learning and the educational needs of older adults. New needs and goals have been recognized, and it is argued that today Huron provides a good example of how young and old can interact in an educational setting. (JSR)

Explores constructivist teaching assumptions of early childhood teacher preparation programs: (1) active adult learning is valued; (2) educational reform begins in university classrooms; (3) translating best practices and research into teaching contributes to classrooms and student teacher supervision; (4) maintaining links to K-12 education…

Explores mentoring as a means of promoting spiritual growth for women in a congregational setting. Surveys the roles and activities of mentors with special attention to utilization in business and educational environments. Proposes four likely components of a mentoring relationship. (MJP)

Examines evidence offered to support the idea of a sensitive period for second language acquisition. Findings indicate that there is insufficient evidence to accept the claim that mastery of a second language is determined wholly, or even primarily, by maturational factors. (34 references) (Author/CK)

The first interview in this article discusses the expectations and challenges adult learners bring with them to the community college classroom, and what instructors should know in order to teach them effectively. The second interview discusses the student experience, including teacher-student relationships, class size, and teacher effectiveness.…

Presents results of a study designed to measure the extent to which factors including age, sex, and previous experience with computers influenced the levels of anxiety experienced by teachers and school administrators learning to use computers. Results indicate that beginning adults require adequate time working with computers to lower anxiety…

Explores the relationship between post-secondary institutions and the corporate community in providing communication education for the adult learner. Contends that the communication profession should be concerned about the role it plays at all levels of the corporate learning enterprise. (MS)

The scope of existing services for adult learners in higher education was examined in a mail survey of academic advisors. Two analyses were performed to review the effect of institutional type on services provided, and to understand the impact of perceived administrative support on efforts to serve this student population. (Author/MLW)

Using a video sign-monitoring task in American Sign Language, this study investigated the effects of late exposure to a primary language on adult linguistic processing. Native signers were sensitive to errors in both verb agreement and aspect; early and late signers were only sensitive to errors in aspect morphology. Late exposure was found to…

Describes the Farm Management Home Study Program, a distance education program implemented in 1970 that has allowed over 10,000 farmers and land and business managers in rural New South Wales (Australia) to upgrade their skills through vocational programs in farm management, farm office management, and other vocational courses related to farming.…

A design studio for instructional leadership required educational administration students to apply content knowledge acquired in their traditional preparation courses to school problems and defend their proposed actions. Results reveal some outcomes of changes in course structures grounded in cognitive theories of adult learning and action. More…