There appears to have been no coherent movement of rural adult education in the United States since the area was first surveyed in the 1930s. Such problems exist as fragmentation, a lack of communication across efforts, and a lack of continuity in time. There does not even appear to be adequate information on the nature and scope of the enterprise…

This document is the interview schedule which was used to collect the data reported in "The Adult's Learning Projects" (see note), a research study conducted to determine the basic characteristics of learning projects in several adult and youth populations. The document consists of the following: six pages of script for the interviewer…

This paper provides the course design and content for a course on the psychology of aging intended to reach practitioners and undergraduate students who live in isolated areas and are unable to attend congregate classes. Four educational objectives include: (1) to increase the knowledge and understanding of the student in the processes and…

The needs for continuing engineering education to avoid technical obsolescence and the programs offered by one company to fill this need are discussed. Ten educational alternative programs of the Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque (New Mexico) are described. (CP)

In 1972, the University of Pittsburgh initiated the University External Studies Program (UESP). The program emerged from a recognition of the university's responsibility to provide higher education to those previously unable to attend classes because of family or job responsibilities, geographic isolation, or limited mobility. This paper outlines…

The Independent Study Project of the Dallas Public Library has as its primary goal the testing of the feasibility of utilizing an existent public institution, the library, for enabling qualified persons to earn credits toward a degree through independent study and examination. More proximate goals are: (a) the assessment of demand locally for…

Reviews self-directed lifelong learning among adults in London from 1558-1640 as nurtured by individuals, organizations, self-improvement publications, and colleges. (EM)

The author considers the conceptual soundness of self-directed learning and elaborates a definition of the term. The author also raises some questions about the methodological rigor of the studies on which the new academic orthodoxy is based. He considers social settings, learning styles, independence, middle class lifestyles, and methods of…

Discusses recent innovations in scheduling, timing, and delivery formats that should allow more working adults to pursue graduate study in adult education. Highlights Syracuse University's Weekend Scholar option and Teachers College's Adult Education Guided Independent Study (AEGIS) program. (CH)

A suggested list of categories is presented to be used in the evaluation of adult-oriented computer software. These categories include instructional range of the program, program execution time, whether or not ancillary materials are available for the software, identifying software use, self-pacing programs, performance-oriented programs, and…

The purpose of this article is to present a program of learning for older adults in a national park. Because of the growing trend of tourism among retirees this learning during leisure is gaining prominence. The paper brings together the concepts of aging, self-directed learning, and tourism and leisure. In addition this paper presents a…

Describes a unique external degree program at the University of South Florida, which offers to adults a bachelors degree based largely on independent study. (JH)

This study is a by-product of research into the pattern of library and adult education activities in two north-western (British) towns. The factors which appear to determine student characteristics and opinions are seen to be general rather than local. (Author/JB)

Origins, traditions, and advantages of the "special delivery" schools are described. Home study schools offer individual instruction, relatively modest tuition fees, easy accessibility, and practical specialization. Increasingly, traditional schools and colleges are looking to learn from them. A resource guide is provided. (Author/MLW)