Research on older adults at the United Kingdom's Open University over 25 years showed that the proportion of undergraduates over 50 is 14%, over 60 is 5%; that their course choices, motivation, and study preferences differ from those of younger students; and that their achievement compares favorably with that of younger students. (SK)

Five strategies that may be useful for adults uncomfortable with schooling were identified by Project Lifelong Learning: (1) meet learner needs; (2) develop support for lifelong learning; (3) accommodate learner differences; (4) develop higher order skills; and (5) enable learners to use all language processes in daily life. (SK)

Motivation theories may be applied in educational contexts to improve student attitudes and learning achievement. Keller's ARCS Model of Motivational Design stresses attention, relevance, satisfaction, and confidence. Attention and relevance make instruction stimulating, whereas satisfaction and confidence create positive expectations. Through…

A study of 652 physicians enrolled in the Maintenance of Competence program found that, for those with less than 10 years of experience, learning was often stimulated by audits of practice. Physicians with more than 30 years of experience most often initiated learning in response to patient interaction. (Author/JOW)

Discusses a two-part study in which first-year college students in a developmental-psychology course filled out two questionnaires (some also were interviewed) to investigate the theory of achievement goals. States the data showed students were motivated to achieve when lectures and assignments encouraged mastery orientation. (CMK)

Used Learning Process Questionnaire to examine urban South African students' endorsement of various learning approaches. Found that strategies used by students in Western educational contexts were similar to those used by African counterparts. Urban South African responses, compared with counterparts from Nigeria, Australia, and Hong Kong,…

Adult developmental theory can help learners see how motivation changes across the life cycle. Class-discussion groups focused on these theories raise awareness of what learners value or need at different stages as well as of the diverse life experiences of others. (SK)

A study of 1798 workers involved in tuition reimbursement, employee-development programs, staff-development centers, or keeping personal-development logs showed that older workers generally had less education and more limited learning motivation. Those who had participated in development activities were as positive about lifelong learning as…

Professional responsibility requires that educators teach all students and make a deliberate effort to excite even those who seem not to care. This article provides educators with seven keys to motivating hard-to-reach students and provides practical applications of each. (Author/GCP)

Discusses motivation as a factor in reading and learning and presents an annotated bibliography of seven fiction and nonfiction titles for elementary and secondary school students that address or involve motivation in one way or another. (LRW)

Presents a theoretical framework that classifies autonomy as procedural/technical, personal/practical, or critical. Discusses sociocultural barriers to learning motivation and identifies which assessment practices foster which type of autonomy. (Contains 71 references.) (SK)

Students in construction technology (n=65) described their general and subject-specific conceptions of learning. Among general conceptions were lifelong and self-directed leaning; subject-specific conceptions included self/career development and obtaining grades to get a degree. Differences between the two were influenced by context and…

Argues that models of college student development have demonstrated an insensitivity to the differences that exist among various students. Presents a model based on the Dakota Inventory of Student Orientations, which may be useful for program development that fosters reflection, self-discovery, perspective-taking, and collaboration among students…

Proposes a methodology for collaborative innovation, which leads to cognitive development. Topics include a systems approach to lifelong learning; distributed cognition versus collaborative innovation activities; motivation for lifelong learning; creativity and interaction; the role of the Internet; and fuzzy set theory and assessment of cognitive…

Study of a construction contractor modernizing production showed that creation of an effective learning mood was more likely in a supportive environment in which people explore their actions as they work ("pull learning"). However, an external change agent ("push learning") was useful in provoking the reflection that triggered workplace learning.…