This report reviews the work which has been carried out under the label of "research in student learning," in order to examine the significance of the findings for distance education, and to discuss some of the methodological issues raised in carrying out this research. The discussion also provides insights into conducting this type of research in…

The Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA) held a professional development program in the spring of 1991, which focused on distance learning and accreditation. This report contains the keynote address, given by Michael B. Goldstein, and six papers from that program. In the first paper, "Distance Learning and Issues of Educational Quality,"…

The use of small groups in adult literacy and basic education has been stimulated by a desire to provide a more learner-centered and collaborative learning environment. Another set of factors promoting their use is related to increased use of language experience or whole language as instructional approaches in adult literacy and basic education.…

This handbook presents three chapters that explore reforms in teacher empowerment, school choice, and administrator-education programs. In chapter 1, "Leading Empowerment," Zarif Bacilious and C. John Tarter discuss the role of administrator education in empowering teachers. They argue that the educational-administration profession…

A model of research design anxiety reactions, that was adapted from the work of P. B. Cemen (1987) on mathematics anxiety reactions, was tested. The sample consisted of six classes of 152 master's degree students in a graduate educational research design course. Most were full-time teachers pursuing the master's degree part-time. Students were…

The purpose of this research project at San Francisco State University was to develop and evaluate integrated assessment and intervention strategies to locate the "at risk" older driver and remediate deficits in knowledge or skills about driving and traffic safety. The identification of the "at risk" older driver should suggest…

Education has always been a cherished value in the Jewish tradition. For U.S. Jews, until the post-World War II period, the child was the principal focus of educational efforts. With an age shift in the Jewish population in the United States, the need for investigation of Jewish adult educational programs is strong. Most existing programs lack…

This qualitative study investigated how 11 full-time university faculty members planned live instruction for adult learners in a telecommunications-based distance education setting. All of the subjects had taught the same courses in a traditional setting and had experience teaching distance courses. Students at 8-11 sites in Utah and Colorado were…

In-service education that truly contributes to the development of teachers must focus on the individual. The unique characteristics of adult learners (i.e., their experiences, readiness, orientation, and motivation) must also be taken into account in in-service education efforts. When teaching adults, the educator must act as a facilitator of…

This guide is intended to help people improve their reading, writing, and numeracy skills within existing organizations, services, or community activities. It is divided into two sections. The first gives some background information on literacy in Canada, adult learners, and the rationale for integrating learning into existing opportunities. The…

A study of the acquisition of the auxiliary (tense, modal, perfect, and progressive) by 36 adult learners of English as a second language at three levels whose first languages were Arabic, Japanese, and Spanish is reported. The students were given three tests, on oral production, written production, and written reception. Nineteen verb structures…

During the past 40 years, the definition of literacy and the needs of adult literacy education have changed. Before World War II, adult literacy programs usually focused on teaching totally illiterate adults to read and write at the simplest levels. Later, functional literacy at about the fifth grade level was promoted through the programs. Now,…

A study of 32 public and 25 private randomly selected providers of adult education in Scotland focused on their policies toward adult participants and the extent to which the organizations cater to adults. Data were collected from principals, deputy principals, agency managers, and other senior staff throughout Scotland but were concentrated…

This guide for selecting library materials for residents of state institutions is designed to help the institutional librarian who has special groups to serve and who does not have access to standard acquisition tools. The first section lists what information is necessary to order materials, provides samples of filled-in order forms, and mentions…

A computer system using interactive videodisc was developed and used by the American Heart Association to teach nursing students and others cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Two studies were made of the use of the system. Between September 1982 and April 1983, 48 participants received CPR instruction by interactive videodisc and 51 by…