Service learning is one of the most pervasive education innovations of the past generation and has demonstrated much success in connecting schooling with community service. Service learning is designed to be integrated into, and enhance, the academic curriculum. It is believed, and there is growing evidence to show, that participation in service…

Self-assessment leads to greater awareness of the methods one uses to make meaning. It enhances responsibility, self-direction, shifts in perception, and self-questioning. (SK)

Exposure to models and theories about adult development gives learners structure and language they can apply to their own experiences. Responses of 65 women in a development course brought out 6 themes: knowing oneself, accepting oneself, connecting with others, changing perspectives, empowering oneself, and seeking growth and development. (SK)

Reflective journal writing helps individuals garner information about themselves and construct larger meanings. Techniques include freewriting; list making; describing one-minute in-depth, writing dialogues; and envisioning the future. (SK)

Learning-centered teaching links learning and development by creating a climate of exchange; using assessment to increase awareness of learning needs; promoting learning to learn; holding learners accountable; using multiple strategies for different learning styles; and involving learners in realistic and challenging goals. (SK)

Ursuline College's core curriculum approaches the cognitive and ethical development of women through three anchors: (1) introductory seminar, focused on moving from received to subjective knowing; (2) introduction to culture, moving from subjective to procedural knowing through a wide variety of perspectives; and (3) culminating seminar, focusing…

Three strands of practice and theory--adult learning, women's development, and feminist pedagogy--contribute to development of a learning environment attuned to women's needs. Instead of concentrating on information storage/retrieval, alternative education should focus on requiring fourth-level consciousness: ability to choose how, whether, and…

The possible selves construct is presented as a useful and largely untapped perspective on adult learning. Special attention is given to the role of educational helping relationships in fostering positive possible selves among adult learners.