Research on adult learning shows that there is no decline in ability to learn as people get older, that except for minor considerations such as hearing and vision loss, the age of the adult learner is not a major factor in language acquisition, and that the context in which adults learn is the major influence on their ability to acquire a new…

The critical incidents method is an instructional method that is particularly suited for use with adult learners. The method involves the following sequence of activities: brief introduction to the subject under consideration, short explanation of the critical incident technique, presentation of the critical incident and directions, group work and…

Rapid technological advances will double America's information system every 8 years. As a result, adults in and out of the work force will need continual updating of the information and skills they use in all aspects of life. Of the current 58.4 million adults engaged in some form of organized education, only 12.4 million are attending colleges or…

A study was conducted to find out from learners how they actually direct their own language learning in a variety of social settings. In this study, self direction includes the phenomena represented by the terms "conscious learning strategies," either a focused approach or a general strategy, and "self directed learning," in distinction from…

The elimination of adult functional illiteracy has been declared a national priority. More than the ability to decipher a given text, functional literacy means the practical application of literacy skills to life in a particular society or group. But this in turn demands that the individual have enough prior knowledge of the surrounding culture…

This pamphlet on teaching adults is the fifth of 16 in a series to provide leaders in adult activities with sound introductory material to give practical help in using a method of adult education or working in a particular area. Its objective is to help adult teachers in a variety of institutional settings who specialize in teaching many different…

The factors necessary for implementing and maintaining an individualized adult reading lab are outlined briefly in this paper. Teaching approaches that make the lab suitable for remedial readers, as well as how the individualized approach can help the student beyond the basics of reading are discussed under the heading of components. Suggestions…

This review of self-planned learning is divided into three parts: (1) learning theory, (2) instructional theory, and (3) practitioner application. Its objective is to help participants learn about the relevance and applications to and implications for adult development and learning of psychology. In the first part behaviorism and neobehaviorism…

A study explored research data to see if evidence exists to support the assumption by adult educators that adults learn differently than children. Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) documents, educational and psychological periodicals, and other resources were reviewed. It was discovered that most adult educators have dealt with…

This booklet, prepared as background information for the White House Conference, describes recent developments in providing learners' advisory services to adults beyond traditional school and college age. In particular, it focuses on the Woodbridge, New Jersey, Public Library, one of nine participating libraries in an Adult Independent Learner…

This sourcebook, intended for museum professionals, is an introduction to issues of lifelong learning, adult education, continuing education, and community education. It also provides a brief historical review and examples of museum programs for adults. These programs and services include bulletins and journals, slide-tape and video presentations,…

THE HUMAN CAPACITY FOR CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND CONDITIONS FAVORABLE TO LEARNING ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF A LEARNING SOCIETY IN WHICH PART OF THE POPULATION WOULD AT ALL TIMES BE ENGAGED IN FULL-TIME STUDY. CHARACTERISTICS OF CANADA AS A LEARNING SOCIETY WOULD INCLUDE (1) A NATIONAL PROGRAM OF ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR TUITION…

Mandler (1969) found that one-third of adult subjects were seriators and two-thirds were categorizers in a task where either strategy could be employed. Study 1 was a replication of his procedure with children from Grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. While there was weak evidence that some older subjects chose the categorial strategy, there was little…

PERHAPS THE MAJOR PROBLEM IN TASK ANALYSIS FOR INDUSTRIAL TRAINING IS TO DETERMINE WHAT TO DESCRIBE AND ON WHAT LEVEL OF DETAIL. MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DESCRIPTION MAY BE NEEDED TO ESTIMATE THE COST OF INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE TO A SYSTEM AND THE PROBABILITY OF ADEQUATE PERFORMANCE WITHOUT TRAINING--THE PROBLEM OF IDENTIFYING DIFFICULT COMPONENTS…