A recently completed study of 32,000 California community college students reveals that continuing education for part-time, older students has become the dominant function of the community college in terms of numbers of students served. This article describes that study and makes recommendations on how best to serve this clientele. (DC)

The development of an advanced English course emphasizing communication skills for adult students is described. The course was intended to foster a broad range of conceptual and interpersonal abilities. (RM)

This study investigates where certificate I and II qualifications lead young people aged 15-24 years in terms of employment and further study. A prime motivation for young people undertaking these qualifications is to facilitate transition into the labour market. These qualifications are aimed at developing basic vocational skills or preparatory…

This Winter 2005 issue of "Learners in Action" contains the following: (1) Proud Dad Turns Family Life Around (Nick Prince); (2) Learners Make a Great Impression at Conference; (3) The Story behind the Story; and (4) Learner Resources.

This paper examines the literature on residential life and adult education as it applies to undergraduate housing for non-traditional (adult) students. The literature reviewed focuses on the demographics of the adult student population, adult students as learners, and the student affairs needs of adult students. Although the literature related to…

The main reasons that adults participate in education are as follows: achieve personal goals/satisfaction, prepare to change careers, or advance in a current career. Adults in the 25-34 and 35-44 age groups constitute 59% of all adult learners. Of those groups, the 25-34 age group is more degree-oriented because of concern with earning the…

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a new field, but it has a long history, since children have always learned from adults and demonstrated their competence by observation of their work or by the quality of their products or services. Later, formal learning became more valuable and recognized school credentials paved the way to…

The Bitterroot Public Library (Hamilton, Montana) serves a county of 50,000-100,000 people. The Bitterroot Public Library conducted a project that involved recruitment, coalition building, public awareness, training, rural oriented, basic literacy, tutoring, employment oriented, intergenerational/family, and English as a Second Language (ESL)…

This paper includes tips on managing time and controlling anxiety for adults who want to go to college. The paper encourages adults to take the step of going to college and reminds them of the benefits of an education. Suggestions include the following: planning, preparing the family, thinking about priorities, knowing what to expect to gain from…

This report contains suggestions on how adults can secure college credit for past education and life experience. According to the report, there are eight categories of life experience that can be worth credit: work; homemaking; volunteer work; noncredit learning; travel; recreational activities and hobbies; reading, viewing, and listening; and…

A study was conducted in Sweden to gain an understanding of the learning conditions for educationally disadvantaged female distance education students. The research methodology included questionnaires on background and attitudes distributed to the 280 students who had enrolled in a television course on child psychology in 1993 (83% responded) and…

This publication is comprised of the biographies of eight individuals designated in the past and nine individuals currently designated as outstanding, successful students from Pennsylvania's adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) programs. Each biography is accompanied by a description of the sponsor program. The past outstanding students are…

Continuing education students bring with them expectations from previous teaching that challenge the effectiveness of usual teacher evaluation procedures. This paper presents a validated approach to the evaluation of teaching that identifies potential problems with individuals and minority groups of continuing students. This approach can be used…

This book examines two themes and the interplay between them: (1) the future of the university in an era of mass higher education; and (2) social inclusion or exclusion. It is informed by studies its authors made of British and Belgian higher education and by research from their colleagues elsewhere in Europe. Following an introductory chapter…

This study compared reasons college students gave for choosing either "distance learning" or "traditional" courses in wellness and physical education. Students at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, who were enrolled in either traditional (n=195) or distance learning (n=100) wellness and physical education curricula,…