Interviews with 36 adult learners in information-communications technology (ICT) settings, using the concept of learning trajectories, revealed barriers to widening participation through ICT. In addition to technical shortcomings, social, economic, cultural, and political issues hinder the process, including lack of innovative instruction and…

Discusses historiographic issues involved in researching learning in community and gives a brief history. Describes three types: autonomous learning groups, community development groups, and community action groups. Poses critical questions for understanding the relationship between learning and community. (Contains 54 references.) (SK)

Successful accelerated degree programs should be learner focused, market sensitive, accessible, and high quality. They should offer a variety of options and excellent customer service. Key elements include institutional purpose, decision-making process, curricular design, adjunct faculty, marketing, and promotional materials. (SK)

The crisis of modernity increases the tension between individual and societal development. Brookfield's critical thinking model of adult education tries to reduce societal dimensions into personal growth. Jarvis' adult learning model reduces personal development to adaptation to societal demands. Adult education needs new models to reconcile the…

The National Issues Forum's Literacy Program uses study circles and group discussion to promote empowerment and enhance adult literacy through civic education. The program has helped the Westonka (Minnesota) Adult Basic Education project accomplish its mission and has expanded the staff's view of adult learning. (SK)

Problems arise with theories about experience, because subjectivity cannot be the source of meaning in experience. Proposing that experience is made intelligible through language, the author formulates an alternative theory of adult learning: the individual who learns has a language, a culture, and a history; therefore, the learner is situated in…

Traditional teaching methods are not appropriate for adults who have a bank of existing knowledge. Nonformal education must begin by finding out what people need to know and prepare materials and programs that are relevant to perceived needs. Improving adults' understanding of science and mathematics must proceed upon these principles. (SK)

Contrasts "strong" and "weak" conceptions of model and suggests that adult education is not a unified scholarly enterprise but a collection of divergent research traditions, such as participation, adult learning, and participatory research. Concludes that adult educators should appreciate scholarly conflicts and flesh out the sociohistorical…

For most reentry women students, development entails a shift from identifying themselves in terms of their psychological surroundings to authoring and authorizing their own identity. Reentry women need both self-direction and supports that promote development. (SK)

According to the chief executive of the South London Training and Enterprise Council (TEC), the key factor in the creation of a dynamic and successful modern economy in Britain is the development of the workforce. Adult learning is the essential component of the modern economy. (JOW)

As communities develop in cyberspace, distance education facilitators should recognize that, although community cannot be mandated, there are ways to foster a sense of community in distance learning environments: focus on human interaction, learning partnership, regular and consistent feedback, and course-based listservs. (SK)

Ohio cooperative extension agents who completed the Principles of Adult Learning Scale had low levels of knowledge of adult education principles and practices; a slightly positive attitude toward being adult educators; a more teacher-centered teaching style; a major in technical subjects, not education; and more experience teaching youth rather…

The voluntary, public, economic, and professional sectors form an interactive network in which the voluntary sector has an important impact on the quality of community life. The kinds of formal and informal learning that take place in voluntary organizations bring about individual change and empowerment and should transfer to active citizenship.…

An action research project investigating the Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning at the University of Kent found difficulties in reconciling student needs with pressure to concentrate on experiences relevant to higher education. There was also tension between student needs and institutional requirements for the format of portfolios. (SK)

An integrated approach to developing incidental trainers and teachers teaches learning-centered decision making for planning training and setting objectives. The learning model used for instructional design has five steps: be introduced to topic/skill, get to know it, try it, get feedback, apply it. (SK)