A study created a model and instrument to determine and evaluate the factors that promote perspective transformation in the higher education classroom. The focus was the classroom setting, but other experiences and circumstances were recognized as being important determinants as well. An existing assessment model was used as the basis for…

A study examined the nature of trait-like and situational communication apprehension on non-traditional undergraduate students enrolled in a two-year community college. Subjects were 323 students enrolled in general education requirements at a midwestern community college. Of these, 181 were 25 years or under and 142 were older, 212 were females…

The extent to which Mississippi teachers receive specific training regarding screening for learning disabilities and teaching learning-disabled adults was examined through a mail survey of all 81 of Mississippi's adult education supervisors. Of the 36 supervisors who returned usable questionnaires (a 44% response rate), 5 (13.9%) did not attempt…

As the baby boomer generation moves into its late 30's and early 40's, the number of students returning to college older than 35 has increased, and is, in fact, one of the fastest growing student populations in higher education. Most adult students return to school for job-related reasons. Adult students participating in forensic programs do so…

Although most learning disabled (LD) adult learners have a strong desire to enhance their writing skills, many obstacles hinder their success. Characteristics of LD students found in their writing or actions include the following: frustration; poor study/note taking skills; test anxiety; lack of social skills; a difficult time following oral…

A yearbook development project was designed to provide graduating General Educational Development (GED) program students with special recognition and praise for their educational accomplishments. A student committee was formed to have responsibility for the entire project from design to finished product. The committee undertook the following…

Vision screening appears to be particularly important for adult education (AE) programs. Although expected failure rates for school-age population vision screenings are 15 percent, vision screenings of AE clients have yielded dramatically higher failure rates. Vision screenings of 106 Illinois AE students have shown that 66 percent had one or more…

In an attempt to handle the shortage of registered nurses (RN's), many institutions have designed articulation programs to move licensed practical nurses (LPN's) into RN programs. Research describes LPN's as nontraditional adult learners with family responsibilities who must work full-time while in school. Many are anxious about returning to the…

Within a total quality teaching framework, this paper uses the results of observations of college teachers' classroom practices to develop a list of effective practices for undergraduate education of adult learners. The observations that were the basis for the practices listed here were part of a study of the teaching practices of 50 full-time and…

This paper outlines how to teach an introductory workshop about the Internet. It includes field-tested instruction and materials, training session agendas, exercises, materials for use with or without hands-on computer work, a pre-workshop needs assessment form, an instructor evaluation form, and Internet navigation exercises. Although the field…

A semester-long study examined the needs and goals of adult students. Subjects, 22 adults over the age of 25 years, were selected to represent, as much as possible, a cross section of the older students likely to be found in freshman English courses at a large but not highly selective university. Data included questionnaires completed by the…

Both the motivation for and attitudes of adult Argentine students studying English as a foreign language (EFL) are investigated. A questionnaire was administered to 114 adult students attending EFL classes at beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels at the Instituto Cultural Argentino Norteamericano (ICANA) in Buenos Aires. The findings…

This study compared the satisfaction levels of 40 adult nontraditional students (N=40) attending one of three types of postsecondary institutions: (1) a proprietary school, (2) a community college, and (3) a university. A survey was administered to such students enrolled in the Travel and Tourism programs at Bryant and Stratton Business Institute…

A study examined progression opportunities for adult learners in Scotland. The study focused on progression opportunities that encourage the following: (1) participation in the education system by traditionally underrepresented groups, (2) sideways movement within the education system, and (3) upward movement within the system. The two-phase study…

The Spanish Skills Placement Test (SSPT) is the product of a need for a Spanish literacy placement instrument for use with literacy, adult basic education, and pre-General Educational Development program students. The need for the test was expressed by a variety of Illinois literacy organizations and agencies, particularly those in Chicago. The…