This monograph for the experienced or novice adult basic education (ABE) instructor reviews some basic concepts in the area of adult learning and provides some ideas for practical application of these concepts in individual settings. It is divided into two parts. The first four chapters are aimed at the trainer who is instructing part-time ABE…

Using the Delphi technique, a nationwide panel of experts identified 33 competencies that volunteer administrators (VAs) will need during the next decade and categorized them into these five constructs: organizational leadership; systems leadership; organizational culture; personal skills; and management skills. Twelve barriers to acquiring the…

Asserts that the common perception of homeless children is that they are physically and psychologically impaired by their living circumstances and unable to function effectively in schools. Reports on a case study of efforts to educationally motivate homeless children. Discusses the implications for children's motivation. (CFR)

This annual serial volume contains 22 articles offering practical pedagogical ideas from faculty at New Hampshire technical colleges. Section I, "Learners Conversing," includes "'Cheering': A Prelude to a Street Dweller," by Thomas Gorka; "Illusions of Fear: Unleashing My Writing," by Bruce Maville; and "Claremont's Writing Workshop," a transcript…

A strategy to improve retention and graduation rates of culturally-diverse students in postsecondary settings is described, along with a framework for counselors and educators working with these students. A guided studies seminar in psychological education utilizes a highly-structured educational program and emphasizes the Deliberate Psychological…

A qualitative case study approach with individual and focus group interviews identified senior enlisted Army soldiers' primary motivations and perceived barriers to postsecondary education participation. The 92 interviewees shared these common characteristics: they were enlisted soldiers, were older, attended college part time, worked full time,…

If schools are to respond effectively to the problems of youth at risk, they must build "reclaiming" environments that recover alienated youths by addressing both the students' needs and the needs of society. In the first of three sections, this document examines the alienation of children in a frequently inhospitable society. Destructive…

The classroom practice of promoting glib recitation, on cue, of the surface structures of a foreign language is criticized. This practice has been based on the belief that it equates with, or leads to, communicative performance but the author claims that the attempt to simplify language learning into a sequence of skills beginning with listening…

Encourages the use of art experiences with science activities to enrich the science learning environment by providing background and classroom applications involving art, literature, and music. Highlights artistic representation for its ability to provide intrinsic motivation for study by bringing the senses and emotions to the object or…

Reports on a study of instructional strategies and beliefs among 18 middle-school U.S. history teachers and 60 middle-school students. Finds the most widely used strategies involve active learning, group projects, and student participation. Includes a table of the 10 most used strategies and 4 recommendations for instructional design. (CFR)

This book provides an overview of research and thinking on age-related dimensions of language acquisition, intended for students, researchers, and educators with some experience in linguistics and applied linguistics. The first chapter introduces the variety of issues associated with age and language acquisition. Chapter 2 examines the evidence…

Informal learning by Canadian seniors was examined through semi-structured interviews with a purposefully selected group of 51 older Canadians (28 women and 23) who ranged in age from 58 to 95 years (average age, 73.7). All were retired or semi-retired, and all had engaged in several learning projects over the previous year in topics such as the…

The materials presented here are visual aids used in a presentation on citizenship instruction for older and physically challenged adults. They consist of a series of "screens" containing information on: demographic information on samples of citizenship students in 1995 and 1997, illustrating changes in the population; motivations of and barriers…

This book, which is intended to serve as a practical and immediately usable resource for adult educators, trainers, and staff developers, examines ways of deepening adult learners' motivation to learn. Chapters 1-3 examine the following: theory and research supporting how motivation affects instruction; characteristics and skills of a motivating…

This Vocational Instructional Management System (VIMS) module offers instructional and cognitive strategies used by special needs students to gain academic and vocational competency in business and office technology. Nine definitions, 14 frequently asked questions, 3 resources, and 18 references are included. The following questions are answered:…