This article looks at the factors that have fostered the adoption of a needs-meeting ideology in community education and argues that the concept of need used in an educational context can never be value-free. (CT)

Five priorities on the national agenda are detailed: language competency among adults, the need for a common metric for language skills, determination of the most effective language teaching method, more integrated language instruction, and critical examination of the practice of teaching European languages to the neglect of other languages. (AMH)

This study investigated the prevalence of learning disabilities among 189 male inmates in a county jail setting. If inmates scored below the sixth-grade level, they were further tested. From this procedure, it was concluded that there is a much higher rate of learning disabilities among the adult offender population than among the general…

Identifies predictors of participation in educational activities by active older adults and describes the educational needs addressed by their present participation and their future learning needs. Awareness of sites where educational activities were available was found to be the best predictor of participation. (Author/CT)

This study investigated whether using learning contracts in higher education enhances adults' readiness and competencies for self-directed learning. Findings suggest that the use of learning contracts has little impact on developing readiness for self-directedness, but does have some impact on developing competencies for self-directed learning.…

Reports on a study to examine learning styles as they interact with learning environment. Learning styles included convergers, divergers, assimilators, and accommodators. Environments were conforming or independent. Two levels of learning, rote and understanding, were measured. (CH)

The Women's Institutes of Great Britain and Canada have for many years been important providers of education for rural women. The author shows how the scope of this educational work has come to extend beyond rural and domestic crafts to encompass the changing needs and roles of women. (Author/CT)

Using the Los Angeles Community College (LACC) District as a model, looks at the profile of its student population and finds the most outstanding change to occur is the greater number of mature adults enrolled in the college. Discusses a recent LACC workshop entitled "Effective Strategies for Teaching Older Adults." (SED)

Focuses on computers and adult learners and (1) establishes the need for addressing the use of computer technology with adult learners; (2) reports on a survey that addressed computer access, interest, and experience; and (3) offers some perceptions about special needs of adults as new computer users. (HTH)

As the right of disabled adults to education is increasingly recognized, efforts are being made in many areas to help them overcome some of the barriers to access. This article describes such a scheme conducted in Great Britain. (Author/CT)

Describes a study conducted to develop a clear picture of this period labeled adulthood from the perspective of men and women, to look at similarities as well as differences between these groups, and to reveal their perceptions of this time of life. (CT)

Three relatively simple conceptual frameworks are suggested to help trainers diagnose optimum learning situations. At their present stage of development, the models are theories that have not been empirically tested. The models are titled the Integral Learner, Understanding versus Application, and the Diagnostic Cube. (CT)

The author states that a proactive stance by adult education would stem from recognizing that adults are motivated by heterostasis; the individual learner-centered approach to adult education has to be supplemented by attempts to satisfy societal and planetary needs; and innovative learning is a viable response to the multiplicity of futures. (CT)

In this study, adults identified as low-readers were asked to sort 20 words into four unspecified groups. The purpose of the task was to determine ways in which learners clustered words. Subjects grouped words thematically as opposed to grammatically or hierarchically. Groups suggested stories rather than parts of speech or concept groupings.…

Discusses trends in adult education and their implications for instructional developers, and notes areas where reviews of research are needed: existing telecourse packages, recruitment and retention of adult learners, effective instructional strategies, logistics and costs of alternate delivery systems, and technical assistance and training needs…