Over the past decades, Learning & Development has become an area of growing interest and constant research. As a result, there is an abundance of studies and models that target the development of educators. However, the professional development of educators should be built on a comprehensive framework of research-based instructional strategies…

Narrative learning is strongly allied with transformational learning and adult development (Merriam, Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007), given that it creates context for adult meaning making. Through the use of narrative writing, adult students have the opportunity to engage multiple aspects of learning. Many colleges and universities allow…

The proliferation of postsecondary programs for working adults is not surprising, given the importance of a bachelor's degree to employment and higher earnings. However, the demographics of adult learners have changed significantly over the past 30 years, when degrees for adults targeted a middle-class population. Adults now return to college…

In the rapidly changing world of higher education, innovative approaches to teaching adults are needed to drive instructional practices for helping to prepare the professionals of the future. The papers collected in "Innovations in Teaching Adults" were originally presented at a conference at City University of Seattle. The authors of…

Reports results of a study of 30 graduates who received credit for learning from life experience. The study (1) gathered data about the experience of persons preparing, presenting, and receiving credit for learning from life experience and (2) assessed the relationship to the predominant or preferred learning styles of three other factors in these…

Lifelong learning programs such as the one at the College of New Rochelle recognize the need to examine the potential student and enhance the concept of community. The philosophy and methods of the School of New Resources are outlined. (JMF)

A discussion is given of competency-based programs of innovative colleges, including the role of assessment of prior learning in such programs, drawing on the experience of Justin Morrill College of Michigan State University. (Author)

A study created a model and instrument to determine and evaluate the factors that promote perspective transformation in the higher education classroom. The focus was the classroom setting, but other experiences and circumstances were recognized as being important determinants as well. An existing assessment model was used as the basis for…

The consortial approach to assessment of prior learning can reduce costs and increase the availability of service. CLEO (Compact for Lifelong Educational Opportunities), a consortium of 38 colleges and universities in the Delaware Valley region, is described. (Author/MLW)

Both the content and process of graduate education promote adult development. Graduate programs, particularly nontraditional programs, can both address the growing adult and uphold relevant standards of intellectual excellence and professional expertise. Life phases, developmental stages, and learning styles are three domains that are described.…

A non-traditional approach to professional training at the graduate level is described. Studies of professional practice are referenced to identify educational requirements for health and human service practitioners. Using a knowledge worker perspective, these requirements are translated into a professional education/learning environment in which…

Models for assessing prior learning or noncollege learning are discussed. The increasing variety of interests, ages, and levels of maturity among prospective college students requires that higher education institutions face the issue of granting credit for noncollege learning. It is suggested that the key issue for colleges and universities is how…

The personal, professional, and postgraduate educational development of graduates of six Michigan postsecondary institutions with programs that allow credit for experiential learning was examined. The two- and four-year programs also included a liberal-studies type curriculum, and experiential learning options included portfolio assessment,…

The document provides descriptions of five individualized learning models developed by the Community College of Vermont, a noncampus institution, for its predominantly adult student population. Models include: (1) Cluster, involving 10-30 students in a learning support group to define their needs and interests and to investigate appropriate…

The questions of whether and how to make vocational education and training (VET) available to Australian adults studying for the Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) were examined through a review of 14 pertinent documents and questionnaires sent to the following groups: adult VCE teachers, coordinators, and administrators; current adult VCE…