Surveyed nontraditional college students (those over age 25) concerning barriers encountered in pursuit of their college education. Findings from 100 nontraditional students suggest that older students have needs which are not addressed by institutions. Greatest identified hindrances to degree attainment were financial problems and academic…

Discusses how literary texts can be used with elementary and lower intermediate language students. A series of tasks and activities for exploiting three different poems is then presented. The types of task and activity aim not only to help teachers overcome the difficulties of using literature at this level but also to extend the students'…

The following methods can increase the academic success of adults from diverse populations: focus on how educational circumstances are experienced by individuals, not broad groups; maximize time spent on tasks related to course/degree requirements; and reduce student costs in terms of time, money, frustration, and stress. (SK)

Investigation and study of the mutualities among andragogy, interactive courseware, and distance education will benefit educators in providing adult learners with the most effective education; knowledge gained will ensure that instruction is consistent with the principles of andragogy and capitalizes on the merits of courseware. (AEF)

A survey of enrolled students and withdrawers from a certificate program at the University of Exeter showed that this type of provision is meeting the needs of adults who have not previously benefited from higher education. (SK)

Describes changes in the self-esteem of learners in a General Educational Development (GED) class. The purpose of this action research was to improve practice and learner outcomes. (Author)

A lifelong funding model for higher education would finance "foundation" education from public funds and "continuing" education primarily privately. Paying for tuition and living expenses would be separated, and foundation costs would be handled by vouchers in small units, so learners could have flexibility in their use. (SK)

Discusses deterrents to adult participation in organized education, including personal problems, lack of confidence, cost, personal priorities, and lack of course relevance. The electronic campus is considered as a possible contributing factor to the solution of these problems. (five references) (Author/KRN)

Tested Bandura's self-efficacy theory with 85 minority high school equivalency students from seasonal farm worker backgrounds. Students' self-efficacy expectations, interests, and perceived incentives satisfaction for specific occupations predicted their willingness to consider occupations. Students' generality of self-efficacy was related to…

In a comparable case-study approach, 174 adults answered open-ended questions identifying that (1) degree of self-directed learning was not age related; (2) some emphasized mutual responsibility for learning; (3) learning experiences were largely problem centered; and (4) experience was integral to their learning. (SK)

Considers recruitment and enrollment implications of adult applicants to colleges and universities. Suggests that, to better serve adult population, college administrators responsible for preadmission counseling need to identify means to more personally address each adult applicant's concern regarding college choice process. Describes Candidate…

The educational agenda for the 1990s appears to be mass higher education, which will cause expansion of part-time higher education. A single funding method should be developed to achieve better integration of part-time study into higher education. (SK)

A study investigated the retention, academic success, and progress of 97 returning adult university students, assessing the effects of background characteristics, goals and commitments, interaction within the institution, and external factors. Interaction within the institution in the form of academic advising was found to have the most…

Adult students in three distance education programs completed the Distance Education Student Progress Inventory. Social and academic integration had a significant effect on academic achievement and persistence. Successful part timers were able to integrate school, work, family, and social demands; those who had difficulties often blamed external…

Discriminant analysis of data from Georgia counties was performed on eight variables (continuing education enrollment, vocational education enrollment, high school dropout, county employees, per capita income, per pupil costs, median years of education, criterion-referenced test scores). Results supported Schultz' argument for the impact of human…