Describes a program that uses independent study in English to engage gifted high school students. The program requires students to leave school to research a topic of choice, present the acquired knowledge, and determine their own grades. The students pursue their projects with the help of mentors. (CR)

Using self-reporting instruments, examines relationship between the teacher's view of potential student achievement and student's view. Involves self-regulated learning activities and persistence in two large urban high schools in the South. Findings suggest likely significant influence of teacher's perspective of potential student achievement on…

Describes the creation of SeniorSage, an eight week facilitated online learning community for older adult volunteers in a Florida learning center. Discusses how members were prepared to participate in the community, explains the instructional design theory that guided the development of SeniorSage, and recommends future research. (Author/LRW)

In an adaptation from "The Making of an Adult Educator: An Autobiographical Journey," Malcolm Knowles, the father of adult learning theory, discusses motivation, self-directed learning, trainers and organizational change, and social and economic inequalities in the United States. (JOW)

Highlights new directions in cognitive research. Instead of searching for universally valid principles, new style reseachers are studying how people learn particular things in particular environments. Findings need to be corroborated by numerous researchers using a variety of observational and experimental methodologies. Includes two references.…

The authors describe their observations, as administrators of the Personal Adult Learning Lab at the University of Georgia, about the role of educational technology in adult self-directed learning and the adult learner's reaction to technology. The ways in which the lab is using computer-assisted instruction and interactive video technology are…

Argues that teachers can help students improve their learning by understanding the reasons why students have not been successful, by identifying strategies that promote active participation in the learning process, and by teaching students how to become more responsible for their own learning. (RAE)

Discusses course workload in college-affiliated independent study programs. A program at Brigham Young University that addressed the problem of workload equivalence and reduced the number of submitted lessons is described, including benefits to students and faculty and an implementation strategy. (10 references) (LRW)

Defines adult education as every adult's intentional efforts at self-education, alone and with others, in all human situations, including when the self-educator is facilitating the learning of other self-educators. Self-educating as an attitude, and a practice is offered as a sound basis for the profession of adult education. (SK)

An open learning course for tutor training in Kent (England) uses a loose-leaf file of instructional materials, a tape, and coursebook for home study. Other features are personal mentors, workshops, observation of other classes and being observed while teaching, and access to resources. (SK)

Compared effectiveness of self-directed programed training model with minimal instructor supervision and more traditional high teacher-intensive approach to teaching empathy to undergraduate students (n=60). Found that self-directed empathy training program was as effective as high teacher-intensive program in improving empathy skills of…

A five-year study of the bachelor of science in nursing program at Regents College documents the plausibility and efficacy of a program in which learning is self-directed and acquired primarily through resources external to the institution and which is validated and certified by objective assessment instruments and procedures. (JOW)

Reports on a project to encourage middle school students to use time spent on project work more effectively. Assesses the effectiveness of teaching students some elements of correspondence training that required them to explicitly plan and evaluate their activities. Finds marked improvement, especially among more able students. (DSK)

At several New York State high schools, seniors hold internships in architectural firms, Planned Parenthood, dentists' offices, and television and radio stations. Some make documentaries or pursue independent study in various subjects. These opportunities arise through a program (WISE) allowing second-semester seniors to design and complete their…

In early 20th-century Canada, James John Harpell began correspondence courses and study clubs and was instrumental in the cooperatives movement. He used small businesses to promote social and educational innovations and was an advocate for self-study and lifelong learning. (SK)