The non-traditional student, or adult learner, is making up the new majority in secondary education, creating several implications for community colleges. The average non-traditional student is an adult, age 25 or older, who has returned to school either full-time or part-time. The student must balance school with employment, family, and financial…

Offers an overview of the concerns and barriers that many adult students face before enrolling in college. Reviews literature on adult students' academic concerns, social and psychological needs, and financial problems. (DMM)

Reviews second-language learning literature concerning factors which may affect adult students. Focuses on cognitive mechanisms, cerebral dominance theories, formal operations, motivation, and second-language teaching and learning. Offers suggestions for community college teaching and programs. (DMM)

Asserts that, because the needs and learning strategies of nontraditional students differ from those of younger students, more effective teaching practices must be implemented. Reports that students over 25 make up more than half of college attendees. Presents citations of recent ERIC literature designed to promote teaching practices for adult…

Discusses a study that assessed the learning styles of students age 25-83. Finds that (1) most adults favored a structured learning environment and were not self-directed; (2) African Americans preferred to work with more environmental sound than did white Americans; (3) Hispanics displayed a preference for greater food intake while learning; and…

This report, a review of literature combined with two case studies, poses the question of whether tactual resources-hands-on, manipulative materials--help reduce college attrition and foster development of necessary academic skills. At George Mason University (Virginia), an exploratory, embedded case study was designed to investigate experiential…

Drawing from a review of the literature, this paper explores the role of university and community college faculty in teaching the growing number of adult students and potential adult students. First, section I offers background on the growth in adult enrollments at Fullerton College (California). Next, section II profiles the adult college…

This literature review traces the evolution of community colleges from institutions for recent high school graduates to learning centers for the entire adult population; describes the various learner needs that are met by community colleges' collegiate, vocational, and community education curricula; and discusses the contributions of a study being…

Various planning issues related to the development of a program to train paraprofessional counselors as Adult Career Development Specialists are considered in this four-part report. Part I presents a literature review dealing with the developmental tasks associated with the various stages of the adult life cycle, the need for new adult guidance…

A survey of literature on adult learning and learners conducted for Palau Community College (PCC), Koror, Palau, found a lack of literature specific to the United States-affiliated Pacific region. Background information was compiled on development of formal education in Palau. A survey was administered in fall 2001 to adult learners working toward…

A growing number of community college students no longer come to campus. The Internet is a catalyst for what many believe will be an explosion in distance and distributed education. More older, part-time, working students than ever before are attending higher education. They do not want a traditional relationship with their colleges. They want to…

Washington's apprenticeship program was compared to other programs providing preparation for employment. The following were among the items considered in the comparative analysis: gains in job-specific skill competencies; relationship of training to postprogram employment; participant satisfaction; employer satisfaction; employment opportunities;…