Research has confirmed the link between a number of psychosocial issues (including limited/lacking social networks, learned helplessness, substance abuse, and emotional problems) and homelessness. Research has further established that those psychosocial issues are interlinked by the common denominator of depression, the recognized cognitive…

This document contains six case studies of Chinese adult education: (1) China's Adult Education at Present and in Prospect (Mingchuan and Zhongdan); (2) Aging Issue and Education for the Aged in China (Mingchuan and Zhongdan); (3) Adult Education in Beijing Municipality (Youren); (4) A University without Campus: Introduction to China's Higher…

A study was conducted to compare the self-directed learning readiness of National Fire Academy (NFA) fire executive development students to the theoretical norm and to other public managers. Procedures included testing 30 NFA fire executive development students with the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS). The distribution of fire…

This booklet was developed to help self-study students develop an appropriate routine. It describes steps that many self-study students have used to finish all types of courses in a reasonable length of time and to excel academically in them. The material identifies how the student can control each lesson and the entire course, master material,…

The learning project interview is a group-interview technique that is useful for developing an awareness of the process of adult learning. Specifically, it provides insights concerning the types of things adults try to learn, the number of learning experiences they have, their methods of learning, and the sources of the subject matter that they…

The problems of resource allocation and management within open learning systems in colleges of further and higher education in Britain are discussed in this paper, with particular focus on the deployment of academic staff. First, the components of open learning systems are outlined; e.g., providing materials for students' private study, grading…

A description of the kinds of services libraries may provide to students in nontraditional programs and an examination of the kinds of training needed by librarians who perform such services. (LS)

The purpose of this project was to develop, administer, and evaluate an inservice education program designed to provide entrepreneurial competencies for owner-managers of newly formed small business firms. The project objectives included the following: (1) identify the core-crucial managerial-entrepreneurial competencies needed by the…

Modeled on the British Open University, Everyman's has adapted the idea of learning at a distance to Israel's particular needs. Focus is on self-instructional texts and kits and home laboratories for courses like electronics. Students also get staff help, have radio or television lessons, and attend regional study centers. (LBH)

Nontraditional learning environments challenge instructors to develop educational formats responsive to specific objectives and milieu. Competencies related to long-term goal achievement instead of short-term information retention are highlighted. An innovative instructional format presented during an international education semester aboard the…

Explores likely directions for the future of adult learning research. Describes three research areas that will serve as a foundation for future efforts: (1) the teaching-learning transaction, (2) participation, and (3) self-directed learning. (CH)

Two recent theoretical developments in adult education, self-directed learning and transformative learning, are applied to the college faculty development process. With this approach, faculty learn to direct their own learning process, become aware of their assumptions about teaching, and revise them using critical self-reflection. (MSE)

Medical advances and lifestyle changes have resulted in older adults living longer and healthier lives. Nevertheless, older adulthood, as other life stages, requires change in work, family, and health. Self-directed learning (SDL) is one way of negotiating these transitions. The purpose of this study was to understand this process of learning.…

Teachers in multilevel adult English-as-a-Second-Language classes are challenged to use a variety of materials, activities, and techniques to engage the interest of the learners and assist them in their educational goals. This digest recommends ways to choose and organize content for multilevel classes, explains grouping strategies, discusses a…

The structure and validity of Guglielmino's Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) have been examined repeatedly. In 1979, Mourad and Torrance investigated the construct validity of the SDLRS in a study involving a random sample of 684 of the 1,500 students enrolled in the University of Georgia's Program on Gifted/Talented Education. In…