This paper addresses the challenge of developing a conceptual framing for the meaning of value with respect to higher education. The author argues that criteria derived from analyses of the life histories of longstanding graduates, which often take the form of counternarratives and proceed from that which matters to them, can inform an evaluative…

Correctly identifying the role of students is important for education providers to serve high-quality education. This paper presents a novel notion of value co-creator for describing the role of older learners in older adult education (OAE) from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Theoretically, we propose eight foundational premises and…

This paper reflects on the history of adult and community education (ACE) in Aotearoa New Zealand with special reference to older people's learning. The paper adopts a critical framework and draws on both primary and secondary sources. Key economic, political, social, demographic and cultural forces are discussed along with the huge growth in…

Colleges and universities throughout the country have seen an influx in enrollment amongst African American women. Many of these women are characterized as non-traditional students. In addition to possessing non-traditional traits, these women occupy two oppressed groups in society; African Americans and females. Along with them being a part of…

Based on two empirical studies on education in health and elderly care, this paper reflects on the possible role of "old ideas" involved in creative innovation. Most researchers agree that creativity and innovation are the results of a combination of what is new and valuable. What tends to be paid less attention, however, is the fact…

Jenkins discusses the use of digital storytelling (DS) with older people within the context of the education of students in Higher Education, who are training to work with older people in health or social work settings. Jenkins draws upon humanistic gerontology and its focus on narrative-based research methods as essential to learning about ageing…

The "New England Journal of Higher Education" ("NEJHE") Executive Editor John O. Harney had the chance to catch up with Lasell College President Michael Alexander about the small Newton, Massachusetts, college's plans to challenge the higher education business model. The interview is presented in this article.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that annually engages millions of Americans in service and volunteering at more than 50,000 sites across the country. Senior Corps and AmeriCorps members play a vital role in helping communities design and implement locally determined, results-driven, cost-effective…

Developed countries differ greatly in their policy response to population ageing. In the United Kingdom, little attention is given to its positive features, and the potential of lifelong learning to enhance the wellbeing of older populations is largely disregarded. Universities have increasingly neglected them, while expanding provision for much…

Many Western countries have ageing populations, and major policy shifts will be necessary to deal with them. Bermuda is no different in this regard and is likely to reach a major milestone in 2017, when the population of seniors is expected to overtake the youth population. The island is likely to experience school closures and increases in…

Recent years have seen growing recognition of the importance of a college-educated workforce to meet the needs of employers and ensure economic growth. Lifelong learning, including completing a postsecondary credential, increasingly is necessary to improve employment outcomes among workers, both old and young, who face rising demands for new and…

Higher education prepares students to get good jobs and benefits communities by helping graduates make positive contributions to civic life and the economy. A college degree is increasingly becoming a requirement to earn a middle-class income. Unfortunately, attaining higher education often means assuming the burden of student debt, which…

Intergenerational service-learning initiatives are an increasingly common educational practice designed to engage college students and older adults with one another. The growth of the baby boomer population and a growing interest in lifelong learning opportunities among older adults have the potential to create new models of multigenerational…

A great many New England institutions of higher education are about to find out if demography will determine their fate because unprecedented and substantial population change is sweeping across the region. With fewer than 15 million year-round residents, it is the nation's smallest and one of the slowest-growing of the nine census divisions. This…

This article addresses the questions: why is the development of conversational competence important within higher education? And how might this goal be pursued? We offer answers that may aid a broad range of stakeholders (language learners, course designers, lecturers, language development managers, and policy makers) in thinking through these…