Discusses ways of developing individuals' abilities to assess their own learning needs. Includes a case study involving working with the tenants of a housing project, a discussion of needs assessment as a continuing process, and a definition of success. (CT)

The individual must assume the main responsibility for personal development and life planning, which includes making career decisions that sustain and enhance the sense of self. (SK)

The author summarizes a conference on learning opportunities for older people by discussing six issues: (1) perspectives of older people and service providers; (2) categorization of older learners; (3) learning needs of older people; (4) participation rates; (5) government policies; and (6) curriculum concerns. (SK)

Examines alternative perceptions of the community college educator in light of the learning needs of returning adult students. Discusses the educator's emerging multifaceted role as a facilitator who, beyond teaching students new and needed facts and skills, teaches them how to learn. (JM)

The metric education program developed at Okaloosa-Walton Junior College, Niceville, Florida, for students and the community in general consists of three components: a metric measurement course; multimedia labor for independent study; and metric signs located throughout the campus. Instructional approaches for adult students are noted. (MF)

Describes how to use knowledge about adult learners and about different learning styles (environmentally, emotionally, sociologically, and physiologically) when planning and implementing staff development. (SR)

Examines the perceptions of adults related to piano study, their musical and nonmusical interests, and home influences on music. Presents the results in detail. Explains that the results of this study have implications for encouraging lifelong enjoyment of piano study. Includes references. (CMK)

Attempts to attain academic respectability for continuing higher education hinged on two arguments. The campus equivalence approach asserted that extension programs had equivalent rigor to campus programs. The adult learning approach argued that different qualities of adult students necessitated different criteria and goals reflecting adult…

Learning in cyberspace requires participation, motivation, and self-direction; it can be a transformative experience. The context of online learning has an interactive dimension (situated cognition, reflective practice) and a structural dimension (the impact of sociocultural factors on learning). (Contains 16 references.) (SK)

Presents a framework for designing a web-based nursing course based on adult learning principles. Discusses the following issues: changing role of faculty, the development of an online community, and the need to keep the technology simple. (JOW)

Discussion of the field of adult education and its implications for practice and research in distance education focuses on general characteristics of adult learners. Highlights include individual change and development in adulthood; the impact of life experiences; the significance of the social context; and effective instructional practices for…

Stressing the value of mature learning and its distinction from learning in early adulthood, the author explores elements of "third quarter" education and expresses the need for institutions that focus on the issues and potentials of those past midlife. (SK)

Investigated interaction styles and success at problem solving by students of English as a Second Language. The most interesting outcome of this study was the finding that when passive learners were paired with active ones, these pairs were as effective as dyads made up of only active ones. (26 references) (Author/VWL)

Presents a dialog in five articles that address the issue of whether distance education is a discipline in its own right, primarily based on a 1986 article by Holmberg. Topics discussed include adult education; adult learning; conceptual models; and the roles of theory and research. (LRW)

Discusses a study on how 20 adults in an undergraduate U.S. labor history class transferred writing skills and knowledge they gained from the workplace to the classroom. Determined that it is important for researchers and administrators to recognize and acknowledge the significance of this interplay to serve the interests of students more…