Although it may be so subtle that it is not noticed or sudden and life altering, adult development occurs in a cycle of four inherent processes: transaction, transition, transformation, and transcendence. These processes exist in a cycle characterized by growth and development. The processes can be defined as follows: (1) transaction--personal,…

Reviews the findings of Alsanian and Brickell's study of adults' returning to formal education and the causes of adult learning. Shows that career events, followed by changes in leisure-time activity, outnumber all other reasons for returning to school. Discusses the implications of increasing life transitions for community colleges, especially…

Meeting the educational and personal development needs of adults in transition presents the greatest challenge to higher education. This article discusses a study to determine how adults in transition believe their educational programs to be helpful. (JOW)

Argues that an understanding of the dynamics of life transitions is crucial to effective adult education programs. Examines the "stage/phase" theory of transitions, maintaining that transitions occur in predictable sequences, and the "life event" theory, which views transitions as the result of social processes. (22 citations) (MAB)

Student affairs professionals have come to realize that the student body on college campuses is changing. Adult students are filling the spaces left vacant by a diminishing traditional-aged student population. Interventions in student affairs, however, are often targeted for the specific developmental tasks of the traditional student. Student…

Presents a case study of a 45-year-old first-generation community college student and his transition from factory worker to college student. Presents findings related to the student's stages of transition, personal contacts, work study experiences, commitment, and self-image. Excerpts from the student's journals and sample interview questions are…

A guide to help instructors and program planners understand the educational needs and characteristics of older learners is presented. Social, economic, and educational consequences of increasing longevity are identified. A brief history of education for older people is presented, and research and experience on adult and continuing education are…

These proceedings contain the texts of the following 44 papers: "Adult Development in Midlife, Childless Women" (Rita Keneipp); "Analysis of the Relationship between Cognitive Style (Field Dependence-Field Independence) and Level of Learning" (Eugene Tootle); "Reconceptualizing Adult Education Participation" (Peter Cookson); "Adulthood:…