Improving Adult Literacy Instruction

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309262267
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 35

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Book Description
Virtually everyone needs a high level of literacy in both print and digital media to negotiate most aspects of 21st century life-succeeding in a competitive job market, supporting a family, navigating health information, and participating in civic activities. Yet, according to a recent survey estimate, more than 90 million adults in the United States lack the literacy skills needed for fully productive and secure lives. At the request of the U.S. Department of Education, the National Research Council convened a committee of experts from many disciplines to synthesize research on literacy and learning in order to improve instruction for those served in adult education in the U.S. The committee's report, Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Options for Practice and Research, recommends a program of research and innovation to gain a better understanding of adult literacy learners, improve instruction, and create the supports adults need for learning and achievement. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction: Supporting Learning and Motivation, which is based on the report, describes principles of effective instruction to guide those who design and administer adult literacy programs and courses. It also explores ways to motivate learners to persist in their studies, which is crucial given the thousands of hours of study and practice required to become proficient.The booklet concludes with a look at technologies that show promise for supporting individual learners and freeing busy adults from having to be in a particular place in order to practice their literacy skills. Although this booklet is not intended as a "how to" manual for instructors, teachers may also find the information presented here to be helpful as they plan and deliver instruction.

Enhancing Adult Student Persistence

Enhancing Adult Student Persistence PDF Author: Walter Stephen Pearson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
The complex interplay of background, motivation, academic performance, PLA portfolio participation, and life changes affects adult student progress throughout the process. The significant variables predicting persistence for this study are grade point average, number of prior college credits, and participation in prior learning assessment. Demographic variables were not significant. Few interventions by adult educators can have as dramatic effect on persistence as the PLA portfolio process. Students within this sample who complete the PLA portfolio process increase their probability of persistence by a minimum of 45% to a high of 281%. Students with mean GPA and mean prior credits increased their probability of persistence by 106%. Three fourths of eligible students who completed the PLA graduated versus 39% of those who did not.

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction

Improving Adult Literacy Instruction PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309219590
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 504

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Book Description
A high level of literacy in both print and digital media is required for negotiating most aspects of 21st-century life, including supporting a family, education, health, civic participation, and competitiveness in the global economy. Yet, more than 90 million U.S. adults lack adequate literacy. Furthermore, only 38 percent of U.S. 12th graders are at or above proficient in reading. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction synthesizes the research on literacy and learning to improve literacy instruction in the United States and to recommend a more systemic approach to research, practice, and policy. The book focuses on individuals ages 16 and older who are not in K-12 education. It identifies factors that affect literacy development in adolescence and adulthood in general, and examines their implications for strengthening literacy instruction for this population. It also discusses technologies for learning that can assist with multiple aspects of teaching, assessment,and accommodations for learning. There is inadequate knowledge about effective instructional practices and a need for better assessment and ongoing monitoring of adult students' proficiencies, weaknesses, instructional environments, and progress, which might guide instructional planning. Improving Adult Literacy Instruction recommends a program of research and innovation to validate, identify the boundaries of, and extend current knowledge to improve instruction for adults and adolescents outside school. The book is a valuable resource for curriculum developers, federal agencies such as the Department of Education, administrators, educators, and funding agencies.

Unfinished Business

Unfinished Business PDF Author: Matt Bergman
Publisher: IAP
ISBN: 1641138564
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 235

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Book Description
For at least the last 100 years, more than 40% of all students who enrolled in American colleges and universities have not persisted to graduation at four-year institutions. Their stories are varied, but in every case, something got in the way of that pursuit. Life happened. They became one of the nearly 36 million Americans who have some college but no degree. For many, the stigma of not finishing college is a closely held secret that weighs heavily as they discuss, engage, and compete to meet the challenges of the workforce in the 21st century. Some weren’t ready at age 18 for the focus and commitment that academic studies require. Others found opportunities to create income and meet immediate familial needs or requirements. Many have excelled despite their lack of a college credential. Contrary to the deficit mindset that often permeates the retention and persistence discourse, this book highlights the stories of those who successfully returned to what was left unfinished. The stories here may challenge your assumptions. These are high-quality students who demonstrated a compelling and inspiring commitment to their education, begun long ago and now completed—in some cases decades later. As you read, don’t miss the role that engaged advisors, supportive family members, and well-designed programs such as prior learning assessment played in helping students to the finish line. These narratives also demonstrate that it is time for institutions of higher education to imagine and embrace new ways of serving these students well.

The Epistemology of Persistence

The Epistemology of Persistence PDF Author: Anne Elizabeth Harrington
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Adult education
Languages : en
Pages : 684

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Book Description
Adult learners comprise the majority of undergraduate students in higher education and stopping-out of higher education is a typical enrollment pattern for them. Adult learning scholars and higher education practitioners know very little about the adult experience during this period of time. As experience is the source of adult learning, a theory of adult learning must begin by examining the everyday lives of adults. This study, conducted through a social constructivist epistemological framework, utilized three phases of one-on-one interviews and one demographic questionnaire to explore the experience of stopping-out with eleven adult student participants. Using the stop-out period allowed the participants to construct their own meanings from their everyday life experiences, which allowed for the researcher's deepened understanding of how to enhance adult student persistence and learning. The study suggested that trends and themes emerged from the participants' reflections, and diverged across age groups and gender. Interpretation was structured largely around the common themes of autonomy and independence. It is recommended that future studies refine and clarify the construct of "experience". contextualizing it demographically, socio-historically, and developmentally to develop a framework for defining experience and understanding its relationship to learning. Narrowing the sample demographically, refining the interview protocol to examine situations more deeply, and developing a longitudinal study on the period of stopping-out are also recommended. Administrators in higher education should recognize and capitalize on the relationship between students' experiences and their persistence in learning by developing processes in admissions, advisement, and co-curricular requirements that validate the students' experiences. --Abstract

Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn

Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn PDF Author: Raymond J. Wlodkowski
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119078016
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 407

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Book Description
The classic interdisciplinary reference on adult education, updated for today's learning environment Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn provides adult educators with the information and strategies they need to guide non-traditional students toward positive educational outcomes. Providing a clear framework, guidelines for instructional planning, real-world examples, and cutting-edge ideas, this book fills the need for intrinsically motivating instruction targeted specifically toward adults returning to school. This new fourth edition sharpens the focus on community colleges, where most first-generation college students and working adults begin their higher education, and explores the rising use of technology and alternative delivery methods including a new chapter covering online instruction. Since the publication of its first edition, this book has become a classic reference for understanding adult motivation in educational and training settings. As more and more adults re-enter the educational system, instructors and trainers will find extraordinary value in this exploration at the intersection of research and practice. Examine the latest neuroscience and psychological research pertaining to adult motivation and learning Delve into alternative formats including online learning, interactive learning materials, and more Elicit and encourage adult intrinsic motivation using the Motivational Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching and sixty practical, research-backed strategies Adopt a culturally responsive instructional approach for an inclusive and equitable learning environment. Adult students differ from traditional students in motivation, attitude, experience, and more; this, combined with an increasingly diverse body of students as well electronic delivery methods, makes today's teaching environment a new landscape for instructors to navigate. Enhancing Adult Motivation to Learn provides a clear guide to success for instructors and students alike.

"One Day I Will Make It"

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Adult education
Languages : en
Pages : 77

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Book Description


Unfinished Business

Unfinished Business PDF Author: Matt J. Bergman
Publisher: Adult Learning in Professional, Organizational, an
ISBN: 9781641138543
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
For at least the last 100 years, more than 40% of all students who enrolled in American colleges and universities have not persisted to graduation at four-year institutions. Their stories are varied, but in every case, something got in the way of that pursuit. Life happened. They became one of the nearly 36 million Americans who have some college but no degree. For many, the stigma of not finishing college is a closely held secret that weighs heavily as they discuss, engage, and compete to meet the challenges of the workforce in the 21st century. Some weren't ready at age 18 for the focus and commitment that academic studies require. Others found opportunities to create income and meet immediate familial needs or requirements. Many have excelled despite their lack of a college credential. Contrary to the deficit mindset that often permeates the retention and persistence discourse, this book highlights the stories of those who successfully returned to what was left unfinished. The stories here may challenge your assumptions. These are high-quality students who demonstrated a compelling and inspiring commitment to their education, begun long ago and now completed--in some cases decades later. As you read, don't miss the role that engaged advisors, supportive family members, and well-designed programs such as prior learning assessment played in helping students to the finish line. These narratives also demonstrate that it is time for institutions of higher education to imagine and embrace new ways of serving these students well.

Making it Worth the Stay

Making it Worth the Stay PDF Author: Andy Nash
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780979326332
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description


The Internet and Higher Education

The Internet and Higher Education PDF Author: Alfred Rovai
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 1780631626
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
The purpose of this book is to increase understanding of the major theories, issues, challenges, and solutions related to online distance education. It balances practical advice with a description of the theoretical and research-based underpinnings for the culturally-responsive strategies presented. An important integrating theme is the impact of globalization and internationalization on all aspects of distance education. Consequently, the book examines the implications of global reach and cross-border education and promotes the integration of global learning in academic programs. Addresses the global reach of distance education and associated cultural, linguistic, and accreditation issues Describes the latest online learning technologies, e.g., blogs, wikis, podcasting, mobile learning, virtual worlds, etc. Addresses the culture of higher education and forces that are moving higher education in new directions, e.g., academic capitalism, consumerism, and competition among non-profit, for-profit, and corporate universities