This book, directed especially to individuals over age 30, takes a how-to approach to earning a college degree in the least amount of time for the least amount of money. The book explains how to use fast-track methods such as "testing out," which takes advantage of prior learning, and accredited shortcuts to earn an accelerated degree. The first…

These 23 presentations are organized in five categories: diversity, assessment, distance education, learning, and teaching. Five papers on diversity include the following: "From Rosie the Riveter to Comparable Worth: The Infusion of Gender and Women's Issues into an Interdisciplinary Curriculum for Working Adults" (Linda L. Hulbert, Theodore A.…

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority was established to develop a consistent approach to the recognition of academic and vocational qualifications. The National Qualifications Framework was designed following surveys of a number of sectors: universities, colleges of education, polytechnics, private training firms, schools, businesses, unions,…

A study was done of transfer students entering the University of California (Davis) from Fall 1976 through Spring 1991. "Transfers" are students who enter with at least sophomore standing (more than 40 transfer units), are identified by undergraduate admissions as advanced standing, or whose source school is not a high school. Study of…

This study examined students' active roles in constructing knowledge when learning new information in the domain of biological evolution. A computer-based connectionist methodology was developed to provide a way to present students with new information while the experimenter provides probe statements congruent with or contradictory to the…

This document reports good practice as learned in Britain's FEU (Further Education Unit) and NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education) programs aimed at providing educational opportunities for unemployed adults. Section 1 describes the review of projects that resulted in the document; mentions specific issues and problems relating…

These revised national standards are designed to assist local unions in establishing local apprenticeship and training programs for drafters. Covered in the individual sections are the following topics: provisions of the apprenticeship standards for drafters (definitions, qualifications for application, the selection of applicants, credit for…

Cooperative education, experiential learning, and personal knowledge are addressed in nine conference papers. Kenneth Abrahamsson considers the nature of experiential learning, the recognition of prior learning, educational design and the assessment of quality, and policy and practice for integrating learning and experience. Harry Hienemann…

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact that proctored versus un-proctored testing would have on learning for an on-line content module; and examine the relationship between LASSI variables and learning. A randomized, pre-test/post-test control group design was employed. College students in a pharmacy curriculum, were randomized to two…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify and describe the essential components of the current science education experience as constructed by female high school physics and advanced chemistry students. The participants identified five major factors as salient components of the science education experience: (a) mathematics, (b)…

A model for assessing and awarding credit for prior experiential learning is presented; the adult student's experiences are summarized in a portfolio. The model incorporates eight stages: facilitating the construction and assessment of a portfolio, identifying significant prior experiences, expressing the learning outcomes of prior experiences,…

This student guide is directed at the adult student who petitions for college credits based on prior experiential learning. It will assist such adults in maximizing the value of their prior experiences in relation to educational goals and successfully obtaining appropriate credit. The reader is led step by step through the process of identifying…

Evaluation of prior learning for the External Degree Program at Florida International University is described. Efforts in the following areas are presented: (1) implementation and evaluation of the competency-based assessment tool, (2) integration of the assessment process with other processes of the External Degree Program and the entire…

A project was designed to develop a process by which the life experiences of women could be assessed for entry into employment and for entry into or advanced placement in vocational education programs. Following a review of literature and interviews to determine the approaches currently used to accredit women's life experience learning,…

Trends and issues in the shift of four-year colleges and universities in adding associate degree occupational programs are considered. After a brief historical overview, the status of occupational programs at four-year institutions is discussed, with emphasis on the patterns of organization at various institutions. The shift in mission of the…