Joseph and Judith Davenport discuss the controversy surrounding the concept of andragogy: differing philosophical orientations, classification of andragogy, and general utility or value of the term for adult education. George Yonge examines the inappropriateness of the focus on teaching and learning and critical differences between andragogy and…

The author describes how he became a student in six adult classes in order to investigate participation in adult education. He examines student motivation and characteristics and how this affects class participation. (CT)

The author suggests that the specification of common literacy demands that are valid on the societal level, that is, which are applicable and meaningful to diverse adults living in diverse environments, is an impossible task. He further suggests that the development of a valid and uniform national curriculum for functional literacy is equally…

Presents (with tongue in cheek) a four-style behavior model guaranteed to produce excellence in the four types of trainees: nematodes (docile but learn nothing), gerbils (fond of noncompetitive games and hugging), warthogs (like to attend expensive seminars), and Cro-Magnon (like to interpret to others as opposed to actually learning anything…

The relationship between locus of control and course completion in an adult basic education program was investigated. Instruction was individualized; each learner was tutored by an adult volunteer. Those learners who completed the program were significantly more internally controlled than those who did not complete the program. (Author/CT)

This article describes a "whole language approach" to the development of literacy and a Basic Writing Scale developed to evaluate growth in writing ability and to diagnose strengths and weaknesses in the writing of illiterate adults. (CT)

Describes a recent community education pilot scheme organized by Islington Adult Education Institute in North London. Also discusses the process of learning in adults, economic factors affecting a neighborhood, criticisms of community work, the "process" view of learning, and the challenge for adult educators. (CT)

To be effective instructional leaders, principals need to teach students, teachers, and parents. This article traces the retreat of principals from the classroom, identifies the advantages of their return, develops the theory of andragogy, and applies it to the principal's situation. (DCS)

This study compared the effectiveness of a process-oriented, functional approach and a skills-oriented, developmental approach to adult literacy. Results showed that both types of programs were effective in teaching adults to read and demonstrated the viability of a process-oriented, functional approach as an alternative to widely used skills…

Discusses the findings of five studies which investigated the effects of informal contact on classroom learners' second language abilities. These findings are discussed in terms of six factors which might have contributed to the finding in four of the five studies that informal contact did not lead to increased proficiency. (SED)

Adult educators must establish an emotionally safe learning environment for students to constructively address their fears and empower them to risk change. An atmosphere of mutual respect is the key to adult learning, and teachers can use a variety of attitudes and techniques to create an atmosphere of respect. (MSE)

A content analysis of 1,462 written responses provided by the adult learners explaining their rationales for preferring differing learning interaction patterns was conducted. Eight major response categories emerged, including instructor-centered and collaborative rationales. The rationales found were compared to rationales suggested in the adult…

Presents examples of some of the educational offerings for older people in nations at three very different stages of development: Ghana, Singapore, and France. Examines traditional forms of education, family living workshops, preretirement education, self-directed learning, decentralization of older adult education, and educational programs for…

Describes a study conducted to determine how adults view literacy and themselves in relation to literacy. The authors concluded that programs for adults need to be built on the collective knowledge of scholars from many fields. They discuss the language experience approach and development of control over the visual dimensions of print. (CT)

Suggests how some of the recent theories about adult learning may be incorporated into a practical schema for adult and community education. Considers factors such as the learner's experience, adult life cycles, andragogical vs. pedagogical models, successful instructional strategies, lifelong learning, technogical change, and self-directed…