Discusses assessment as an element in the teaching and learning process of adult learners. Topics include the instructor's role; the importance of assessment to the educational process; student-centered assessment philosophy and learner-centered teaching; alternative assessments to encourage authentic learning; grading rubrics; and journal…

Eight adult students who completed experiential learning portfolios reported a marked increase in self-knowledge, greater recognition of the value of learning through work and mentors, improved communication and organization skills, and greater appreciation for the role of reflection. (Contains 73 references.) (SK)

Examines many surprising problems that arise in the process of distance education using the Internet and describes ways in which instructors and administrators can solve these problems. Notes that the solutions described are generalizable to other programs using online delivery for instruction. (SG)

From interviews and site visits with 22 teachers, four environmental inhibitors to informal workplace learning emerged: lack of time for learning, lack of proximity to learning resources, lack of meaningful rewards, and limited decision-making power in school management. Ways to facilitate teachers' learning include strategic classroom…

Spiritual epistemology is a learner-centered teaching approach that conceives of education as creative, critical action and adult educators as resource persons. Its principles include dialogue, respect, accountability, demand and support, and an invitation to learners to take a moral stance. (SK)

Describes in detail three informal learning strategies used to facilitate spiritual development: mentoring, self-directed learning, and dialogue. Suggests that these strategies are interrelated and incorporate segments of each other. (SK)

The Antigonish Movement, a Nova Scotian community development approach, and a Sri Lankan community-based adult education movement are used to illustrate spiritual principles for adult education/community development: ecological base, social justice, human dignity, community base, action for liberation, and combined action and reflection. (SK)

Discusses the mix of features in the learning environment that must be considered for adult learners: visual environment, acoustics, temperature, lighting design, and layout. Addresses the interplay of these features with the learner's behavior in the space. (Contains 41 references.) (SK)

Describes a study that investigated the relationship between instructional design and powerful learning. Highlights include key features of instructional design; the nature of powerful learning experiences; a survey of instructional design experts; interviews with adult learners; instructional strategies suggested by powerful learning factors; and…

Despite its continuing popularity as both a practical and theoretical basis upon which to ground pedagogical practice, experiential learning is nonetheless recognised as a difficult concept to "pin down." One serious attempt to schematise and systematise the specific components of the learning process has been made, however. Jarvis's model…

This paper represents the text of a presentation given by the author during a panel discussion on "Paving the Way towards CONFINTEA VI: Balance and Challenges on the Side of Civil Society," in Montevideo in June 2006. The author argues that adult learning, instead of inciting general interest and concern, tends to be forgotten in public…

Emotion-laden images that arise within adult learning provide a symbolic language for helping teachers and learners understand and facilitate transformation at both the individual and group levels.

National attention to a possible superintendent shortage has created concern about the changing nature of the superintendency, particularly new challenges, and how superintendents are prepared. Through 23 focus group interviews, superintendents across the country described the challenges they faced when new, how these have changed in recent years,…

As the population of older adults increases, the field of adult education needs to respond accordingly. The study reported in this paper examined motivations for learning among older adults actively engaged in formal lifelong learning. One hundred eighty-nine members of a Learning in Retirement institute were surveyed using Boshier's Education…

Information and communication technologies (ICT) have changed many aspects of the society in which one lives. The initial impact was centered on the workplace, but subsequent effects have begun to transform communication, leisure, entertainment, information, education and training. Given the transformational impact ICT has had on many aspects of…