A survey of 250 parents, 211 children, and 79 school staff in Bristol, England, identified needs for family learning and barriers to parent participation. Resources, funding, communication, awareness, and wide-ranging learning activities were suggested. (SK)

A British study stressed the need for multiple language skills in a globalized world and concluded that national capacity is currently inadequate: 90% of children stop second language learning at age 16. There is a disparity between the number of adults stating they want to learn languages and the number actually engaged in it. (SK)

Lancashire Adult and Community Learning Alliance is developing a plan to mobilize a network of community and volunteer resources to promote lifelong learning. As a local authority, it has the capacity to facilitate joint solutions, access nonparticipants, and use prime community centers for service delivery. (SK)

Recent protests and vigilante actions in Britain related to pedophiles raise issues for adult educators. Educators must be prepared to struggle along with learners in the creation of knowledge based on reason and emotion and shaped by ethical and political considerations. (SK)

A partnership in South Wales combines efforts of worker education, community education, colleges, and universities to facilitate the progression of learners from community-based and union education to higher education. (SK)

In a British survey receiving 473 individual and 47 group responses, 87% reported physical health benefits from participation in learning; 89% cited emotional or mental health benefits. Most reported "disbenefits" at some time, but usually accompanied by significant benefits in other areas that provided motivation to continue learning. (SK)

Raises questions about the nature of human relationships and education in online learning. Suggests that preference for electronic learning is highly individual. Discusses issues related to image versus reality, trust, tone, subtlety, spontaneity, and authenticity in computer-mediated communication. (SK)

Community involvement in the creation of a sculptural monument in an English village illustrated the relationship between the relevance of an activity to participants and the value of learning. The importance of giving people support and control over their environment was demonstrated. (SK)

Helping students acquire intercultural competence and the ability to articulate values is essential in preparing them for global society. Teaching about interpersonal skills and values poses challenges arising from student discomfort, values conflicts, and disagreement over higher education's role in this area. (Contains 45 references.) (SK)

Reviews Literature on constructivism and adult learning in order to derive principles for technology-based professional development and curriculum design. (Contains 29 references.) (SK)

Interviews with 120 rural Nigerian women found that 96% participate in self-help community development projects and 68% were engaged in farming. Constrains on participation included domestic responsibilities, lack of funding and resources, male domination, and politics. There was a significant relationship between their sociocultural beliefs and…

More than the liberal tradition, the radical tradition has been the influential developmental force in adult education. Although late 20th-century events have disrupted that tradition, it is critical to maintain radicalism as a force for emancipatory education in the current environment, which emphasizes vocationalism and globalism. (Contains 53…

Presents economic responsiveness and critical social pedagogy as the main forces in work-based learning. Describes research of Australia's Research Centre for Learning and Social Transformation, which is guided by principles of accessibility, shared knowledge production, and multidisciplinary learning. (Contains 41 references.) (SK)

Format, graphics, and content of print materials for people with diabetes were analyzed. The materials do not encourage proactive self-direction, the information is not contextualized, and diabetes is not presented as systemic. More flexible and inclusive formats and media, use of analogies, and more diversity were recommended. (47 Contains…

An ethnographic study of adult literacy classes in Egypt depicted rote recitation, copying, and dictation as forms of ritual that maintain social order. A sequence of framing, modeling, practicing, performing, and evaluating was followed. Focus was on correct performance rather than interpretation, comprehension, or critical evaluation. (SK)