Highlights the dichotomy between adult learning theory and current patient education practices. Suggests a need for increased awareness of the role of medical and allied health staff as adult educators. (JOW)

The Army hired the Center for Instructional Development and Evaluation at the University of Maryland to design a system of individualized self-paced literacy lessons for military trainees. The Space Time Army Reconnaissance System is structured according to Gagne's model of instructional events and capitalizes on its audience's interest in video…

The author observes that the report from the Council on the Continuing Education Unit, "Principles of Good Practice in Continuing Education," is a list of reductive, formal stipulations that imply that adults are not capable of self-directed learning. (CT)

The author describes a scheme for making language learning accessible, relevant, and enjoyable for a wide range of students. It involves workshops in an informal setting where family groups and friends as well as individuals can choose from a wide range of language activities designed to help them learn and practice everyday French. (CT)

Describes an exercise in which students select an article or program pertaining to a problem or issue in their field and write a "letter to the editor," which is then critiqued in class. Illustrates how the exercise supports adult learning principles. (SK)

Examines the implications of electronic networking and database services for adult learners. Explores the feasibility and ramifications of electronic networking and communication with other students and with faculty in a computer network and the implications of being able to access elaborate databases in conducting research, writing essays, or…

Describes a study of adult learners focusing on the following issues: type of class preferred; type of grades preferred; teacher qualities preferred; teacher age preferred; and reaction to teacher age. Adults overwhelmingly vetoed Knowles' notion that they feel childlike, dependent, or disrespected when being judged by another adult. (CT)

In lieu of literacy programs based on teacher-as-parent, student-as-child relationships or student/teacher partnerships, the authors propose (1) developing an adult/adult learning environment, (2) using a psycholinguistic model of the reading process, and (3) using a cognitive-discovery model of the writing process. (SK)

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…

Discussion of learning processes and methods for use with adult learners by the teaching staff, extension committees, councils, and other policy making bodies. Paper presented at the Hyderabad conference on university continuing education. (Editor/ABM)

Designed to improve spelling and reading skills and serving as a complement to the ACTION READING Fast Track Fundamentals learn-to-read program, "Spell Power" presents a thorough program for success in spelling, reading, and writing. Written for learners from ages 6 to 99, it strengthens the connection between reading and spelling as learners…

Malcolm Knowles laments the paucity of "thinking, investigating, and writing about adult learning" in the opening sentence of his theoretical framework of "Andragogy" (1998, p. 35). Knowles' central argument is that we learn differently as adults from how we learn as children, so we should tailor adult education accordingly. Knowles highlighted…

Distance learning is an excellent method of teaching adult learners because they need flexibility to contend with competing priorities. Adult learning is not without problems, however, such as loss of motivation because of lack of face-to-face contact with teachers and peers, potentially prohibitive start-up costs, and lack of faculty support. In…

This book presents the lives, stories, and photographs of Canadian adults who are literacy learners. Each of the seven features in the book tells one aspect of Canada's literacy story. "Orval: The Stories of Orval Daugherty," includes: "Time is Short" (Bounchanh Chanthavimone); "Flash Back" (Wendi Rooks); "The…

In 1998, Virginia's Quality Indicators and Core Standards provided a new measure for documenting educational gains for adults who are, according to the Performance Standard for Measure 3, "pursuing learning projects based on their individual goals and/or objectives." These adults are considered "project learners." Their…