A study explored adult undergraduate students' perceptions of the impact of the educational experience on attitudes, values, interests, and aspirations. A sequence of open-ended interview questions in four content areas was developed from a study of relevant literature, advice of a committee of adult educators, and categories that emerged from two…

An overview is presented of the ways in which various types of computer software and instructional strategies can be used effectively with English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) adult literacy learners. Computer use in language and literacy development in general is first reviewed. It is then noted that in spite of the progress made in hardware and…

The Houston Community College System has adapted off-campus freshman composition courses to meet the needs of non-traditional college students. The program offers both college option classes for high school seniors, and business, industrial or professional classes for older students. Although there are some problems inherent in both the college…

Two models of literacy stand in contrast to one another. The first, termed the "autonomous model" by British anthropologist Brian Street, portrays literacy as a value-free, technical skill which effects uniformly positive changes in both individuals and societies. The "ideological model," in contrast, focuses on specific social…

A study was conducted to determine the state of the art in adult basic educational programs funded by the state-administered programs of the Adult Education Act (Public Law 91-230). Data for the study were gathered through mail surveys of state educational agency directors of adult education (100 percent), a random sample of 420 local directors of…

The university as an open system is addressed in 13 papers and 12 abstracts of papers from the 1983 forum of the European Association for Institutional Research. Topics are as follows: program review, analysis of faculty outcomes and characteristics, manpower planning in Dutch universities, adult education in the United Kingdom, outside funding,…

The link between education and work and the situation at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs are discussed by the university chancellor in testimony to the National Commission on Excellence in Education. Characteristics of this urban, commuter university and its students are described, along with historical changes in the role of the…

Theoretical and practical guidance is provided to anyone involved in teaching, curriculum development, or program planning for writing instruction for adult students. A broad range of situations in which adults learn to write are explored. Three parts include 13 chapters on the following topics: (1) understanding the distinctiveness of adult…

This document reports the trends in participation in adult basic education and secondary education programs from 1968 through 1985 in 11 charts and 8 tables. It also summarizes trends for the 18 years of that period and for program year 1985. According to the summaries, during fiscal years 1968 through 1985, more than 27 million persons received…

A project was conducted at the Adult Learning Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, to help clients who had recently failed (and almost passed) the General Educational Development (GED) examination to reapply themselves to specific curriculum materials, correct deficiencies, and retake the GED test. Intense guidance was provided to each student in the…

This publication contains 19 one- or two-page profiles of Illinois vocational education students who have achieved success in their high school or community college programs and/or in work following completion of their vocational programs. The persons described succeeded in a variety of vocational fields, some of them with handicaps such as…

The nature of adult economics education provided in the United Kingdom is outlined, and a framework within which it might be investigated is suggested. Androgogical learning principles are critically appraised and are compared and contrasted to pedagogical principles. An adult economics course model is developed, against which actual courses may…

This panel contains presentations by four members of the Western Kansas Community Services Consortium (WKCSC) who are involved in either teaching or administering college programs in Kansas in which part-time students are participating. Joyce Hartmann underscores the importance of part-time students as growing consumers of college programming in…

Graduation rates of mature age unmatriculated students who were admitted to the University of New South Wales were studied, along with employment outcomes for graduates. The study focused on the first five cohorts of special admissions students (1975-1979). The graduation rate of special admission mature age students compared favorably with that…

Factors that influence college students' motivation for learning are discussed. When difficult assignments seem unconnected to any highly regarded outcome, students view them as another hurdle to be jumped to receive a good grade. Three influences that enhance intrinsic motivation are choice, optimum challenge, and positive feedback. In general,…