Reviews the findings of Alsanian and Brickell's study of adults' returning to formal education and the causes of adult learning. Shows that career events, followed by changes in leisure-time activity, outnumber all other reasons for returning to school. Discusses the implications of increasing life transitions for community colleges, especially…

The involvement of learners in planning their own programs is central to continuing education. The issues raised by the application of this principle are examined through case studies of several rural African communities. (SK)

An experiential graduate education model that effectively addresses issues of adult development and socialization for adults entering the profession of clinical psychology is described. (Author/MSE)

Argues that instructional development provides an efficient model for planning programs for adult learners. Outlines three stages of instructional development: analysis of needs, goals, course content, learner characteristics, and the learning environment; development of instructional strategies and delivery systems; and program evaluation. (CAM)

Suggests that microcounseling can be modified to include lexical, syntactic, and cultural components in order to teach ESL students to communicate effectively because it teaches language, culture, basic survival, and vocational skills. (BK)

The pilot New Start Program for Disabled People, a program offered by a New Zealand university, is described. Various aspects of the program are presented: the need, its aims, how it was financed, student characteristics, description of the coursework, and evaluation. (CT)

Experiences in prior learning programs are discussed by three adult learners. The College of New Rochelle's Life Experience Portfolio Program, Marylhurst Education Center's Prior Learning Program, and Ohio University's Prior Learning Program are summarized. (MLW)

Unlike traditional students, most nontraditional students lack a history of active contact with institutions of higher education. Recruiting programs directed at the non-traditional student need to be highly individualized. A marketing survey approach can be used to custom-design special course offerings. (Author)

A true-false quiz and detailed answers on education and the elderly. Cites 23 supporting documents from the ERIC database on the kinds of available programs, implications for communication educators, what professional educators are doing for the elderly, and what it is like to grow old in America. (JMF)

In 1979, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis launched the nation's first Learn and Shop College Credit Program in which college-credit courses are offered in training rooms of major department stores in suburban shopping centers. This program is described and student attitudes are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Three terms are defined: lifelong learning, lifelong training, and lifelong education. Lifelong learning is discussed, including: adult learning, a "serious business"; adapting programs to meet the needs of adults; expertise of private colleges with liberal arts traditions; community colleges; trustees' role; constraints; and state, regional, and…

An effective continuing education technique is the use of structured, learner-centered small group instruction. This format enables higher levels of learning and peer support for adults. (SK)

A series of case studies was made of seven selected communities to examine community-level organizations developed to meet the needs of adult students in mid-career transition. (SK)

Questionnaires were used to determine the extent of rational as opposed to incremental decision-making behavior, and the relative ineffectiveness of these approaches as used by two groups of midlife career changers. Although the rational approach was more effective, the incremental approach was used by two-thirds of the respondents. (RC)

Offers evaluation methods based on criteria that relate directly to instructional techniques appropriate for adult learners, benefit both teacher and student, and preserve the integrity of the mature student. (Author/FL)