The data gathering forms and activities developed during the planning and implementation of an adult independent study and guidance program at the Salt Lake City Public Library are described. The need for a utilization of this data is outlined, and the study's goals and objectives are stated. Appendixes contain flow charts of the Salt Lake City…

The papers in the collection reflect areas of concern to adult educators, especially at the university level. The first of the collection's three sections deals with graduate program design and contains three papers: Problems of Graduate Program Design, Wilson B. Thiede, and two reaction papers by John Ohliger and Clive C. Veri. Section 2 on…

Designed to help the inactive registered nurse, the Federally funded refresher course, developed by the Arizona State Nurses' Association, focuses on the review and updating of nursing knowledge and skills. The course uses a self-instructional, individualized learning process that can be applicable to as few as one or two students. The curriculum…

Men and women (N=60) who had begun doctoral studies between ages of 37 and 48, half in traditional and half in self-directed learning (SDL) programs, completed 2 questionnaires. Significant ego development was found in the nonauthoritarian SDL environments, which were challenging and nurturing and fostered content mastery, skill acquisition, and…

This index joins two companion volumes of books and chapters devoted exclusively or primarily to the topic of self-directed learning. The book contains 242 abstracts of books, chapters, published articles and papers, and unpublished ERIC documents. Chapter 1 is an introduction. Chapter 2 provides an analysis of the 242 abstracts reported in…

Based on insights gained from an Australian program of adult migrant English language education, it is argued that independent learning centers (ILCs) can be effective in assisting adult learners to develop both independent learning skills and language skills. The principles of independent learning and contemporary understanding about learning…

This booklet outlines specific strategies to help teachers prepare an effective self-study course for students enrolled in nontraditional study. The guide is organized in four chapters that cover the following topics: (1) consideration of students and their motivation; (2) preparation of an effective course (conceptualization--goals, expectations,…

This paper begins by contrasting theories of teaching (which are predictive) to theories of learning (which are descriptive). It justifies the feasibility theory of distance teaching by asserting that methods of distance teaching can affect the pace and direction of learning; therefore, it should be feasible to develop a theory of distance…

This self-instructional module on determining capital needs is the third in a set of twelve modules designed for small business owner-managers. Competencies for this module are (1) identify factors which must be considered when you begin the search for additional funds and (2) identify the sources of additional funds. Provided are information…

New efforts need to be made, the author contends, by nonschool organizations as well as schools and colleges, in order to meet the challenges of community and adult education. These efforts range from serving the needs of the professional for continuing education to the basic education needs of low income and/or illiterate adults. Viewing lifelong…

This article describes an attempt at organizing a continuing, self-instructional language program designed at the request of a commercial enterprise. The program was to be over a three-year period, and was originally aimed at producing reading comprehension in English, but at the request of the students the program was expanded to add listening…

An extension of Alan Tough's original research on adult learning activities, the study surveyed large populations in rural and urban Tennessee to analyze learning patterns of adults engaged in learning projects. Data were collected from random samples of 277 adults in Knoxville and 149 dwellings in Monroe County. Tough's interview technique, an…

The Getting Started Together project is a 48-hour curriculum to enhance health care professionals' abilities to work with handicapped and at-risk infants and toddlers and their families. The curriculum was packaged into 10 self-instructional videocassette modules for people who are unable to attend classroom sessions. (JOW)

Studies of self-directed learning (SDL) have generally concentrated on who self-directed learners are and what/how they learn. In 1980, Gibbons et al. used biographies of 20 "expert" self-directed learners to explore the principles and determinants of SDL. Tough (1967), Guglielmino (1977), and Spear and Mocker (1984) have respectively…

This presentation describes the use of a computer-based stimulation program to allow aphasic patients to practice their language skills independent of the clinician, specifically in the home setting. The prototype computer program, called the Computerized Language Activity Resource Kit, uses the vocabulary found in the Language Activity Resource…