During the past 25 years, self-directed, informal, and independent learning by adults has been the subject of a significant amount of research in North America but comparatively little research in Great Britain. In the United States and Canada, "self-directed learning" has become an umbrella term that has been used by different…

A study examined patterns of self-directed learning among disabled adults and their adult caregivers in Lancaster, England. Data were gathered from the following sources: 117 completed semistructured questionnaires that had been distributed through carer organizations in Lancaster and Blackpool (England) and the surrounding area; semistructured…

The final report of a UNESCO meeting of experts on the content of education in the perspective of life-long education, held October 20-5, 1975, in Paris, is presented. Educators and researchers from around the world attended, as well as various UNESCO affiliated directors. A working paper was placed before the meeting which covered the following…

This document, intended to provide Peace Corps volunteers with practical skills and underlying theory, includes 8 chapters, a 35-item bibliography, an index, and a user reaction form. Chapter 1 describes nonformal education (NFE) through an example from Togo. Chapter 2 provides three case studies of NFE in action: (1) finding space to make school…

An account is given of a learner-centered workshop in materials and curriculum development for Thai non-formal educators. The rationale for a learner-centered approach, its key characteristics, and the process by which it may be translated into a workshop design is presented. Principles which lie behind a learner-centered approach concern the…

This paper describes a case study in which one woman in a focus group of 11 women recounted her use of numerical and mathematical tools in her personal and work life. According to the researcher, the subject's experiences engendered strong feelings and revealed that aspects of her self-identity were bound up with her use of tools and feelings…

This study reports on innovative alternative approaches to children's education in 12 developing countries. These approaches are examined with reference to their flexibility regarding time and place of learning, age of pupils, relationship with formal education systems, relevance and functionality for the actual situation of learners, and ability…

This document examines various nonformal education strategies in the area of literacy instruction for adults. Written by a Peace Corps volunteer who worked in Nepal, the guide is organized in seven chapters. The first chapter defines nonformal education and provides a rationale for it, especially in underdeveloped countries. The second chapter…

This bibliography on recurrent education contains annotations of 307 publications printed for the most part during 1973-78. (Recurrent education refers to "a global system containing a variety of programs which distribute education and training at different levels, by formal and nonformal means, over the life-span of the individual in a…

This do-it-yourself booklet is designed to help those who want to facilitate a Learning Circle but who cannot attend a training workshop. The booklet explains what a learning circle is; the principles of a learning circle; the difference among learning circles, discussion groups, and structured classes; why the learning circle methodology should…

This manual is designed to provide trainers with detailed information on designing and implementing workshops concerning lifelong learning. The handbook is intended for trainers working as educational, staff development, and organizational development consultants in such orqanizations as human service agencies, business and industry, self-help…

A national study investigated the self-learning patterns of adult individuals who employ a wide range of community resources and materials for independent learning projects. The models from which the hypotheses, the interview instrument, and the response analyses were taken included previous survey research about independent learning as well as…

Czech novels and short stories dealing with life in the 19th century were reviewed for information about how adults in rural areas of Czechoslovakia learned and the topics that interested them. The literature review confirmed that adults living in rural areas of Czechoslovakia in the 19th century generally had a great desire for education,…

These conference proceedings contain 55 papers and symposia presented at the conference whose focus was on nonformal adult education. Papers deal with adult/continuing education concerns such as participatory research, ABLE (Adult Basic Level Education) parenting, army basic skills educational development, learning contracts, volunteerism,…

This book contains eight papers about lifelong learning in the Christian church. The preface and foreword are written by Rebecca Groth and H. George Anderson, respectively. (1) "The Gospel Calls Us" (Margaret A. Krych) examines five theological themes of lifelong learning. Adult development and learning styles are considered in (2) "What Teachers…