The learning that parents accomplish through informal involvement in running preschool learning groups was examined through a survey of adults who were actively involved in a Pre-School Learning Alliance program in 1 of 10 locations throughout England. Of the 632 adults contacted, 311 (nearly 50%) completed questionnaires. Approximately 60…

This paper offers a survey developed as part of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy's Professional Development Study. Most of the questions in this survey were tested with 100 adult education and literacy teachers in the New England area; a few changes have been made to this version to correct poorly worded questions…

A study addressed the impact of the travel experience on the older traveler and when such experiences may be transformative. It explored the experiences of four older and experienced travelers. Research questions were: What types of experiences travelers identified? In what ways transformative experience was manifested? What conditions seemed to…

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…

Students entering beginning computer courses have a wide range of experiences with and prior learning in the use of computers. Additionally, adult learners who have returned to school at the community college level may be apprehensive and anxious about computer use. A hypertext computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program was developed in order to…

This handbook describes Los Angeles Pierce College's (LAPC's) English Skills Tutorial Package, which seeks to identify specific areas of strength and weakness in students' language proficiency and to strengthen those specific areas through discrete and holistic approaches and, sometimes, conscious coaching. Following introductory comments about…

This chapter on designing and implementing effective staff development programs is taken from a guide to instruction and services for students with disabilities. The chapter focuses on assessment of staff development needs and identification of priorities for training. Staff development options are discussed in terms of formats (such as workshops,…

In order to evaluate the individualized instruction laboratory at Surry Community College in terms of andragogical theory and practice, a study was conducted involving: (1) a survey of the literature to determine the practices and assumptions of adult educational theory; (2) interviews with three adult educators to determine their perceptions of…

In January 2000, the National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) published "Equipped for the Future Content Standards: What Adults Need to Know and be Able to Do in the 21st Century." Since then, people in states and adult education programs across the country who are using the 16 Equipped for the Future (EFF) Standards have been looking forward to the…

Four Ontario universities with extensive distance education programs were surveyed to obtain information on the nature and extent of the interaction that exists among tutors, students, and peers in undergraduate distance education programs. A total of 84 tutors and 447 students completed the questionnaires, which elicited information on the…

The Virginia STEPS (Student/Teacher Education Planning System) was developed to enable adult basic education (ABE) students to become independent learners responsible for planning, carrying out, evaluating, and making adjustments in their education. ABE instructors at Blackhawk Technical College in Wisconsin have adapted the STEPS model to make…

A project undertaken at the Gene A. Whiddon Adult Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida sought to prepare teachers, laboratory aides, and students for the introduction of new computer technology in a language laboratory, specifically for instruction in English as a Second Language. The project had three phases: (1) computer literacy instruction for…

Broad agreement exists in the society about the desirability of U.S. residents speaking English. Policymakers, community and civic leaders, and social scientists--and especially non-English speakers themselves--agree that knowledge of English is the gateway to full participation in U.S. society and its many rewards. Yet learning a language is…

Discusses seven basic principles related to instructional design for adult trainees in a business environment. Topics discussed include objectives of instructional design; performance problems; feedback; assessment; analysis; production, using the most suitable medium; evaluation; implementation; incentives; motivation; and job aids. An adult…

A study surveyed 139 individuals to determine if differences in the way they approached the physical attributes of various learning environments could be attributed to either gender or age. Participants were Montana State University graduate students in education; adult basic education students in Bozeman, Montana; adult basic education faculty…