As conceived by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), Lifelong Learning Accounts (LiLAs[SM]) are employer-matched, portable individual accounts used to finance employee education and training. They provide employees with an affordable means of upgrading their skills and knowledge, while helping to meet the needs of employers and…

Adults looking to gain a foothold in the changing economy are seeking a college degree in greater numbers. Yet, their "non-traditional" characteristics--part-time enrollment, full-time employment, financial independence, and/or parental responsibilities--create needs and priorities that differ from those of traditional students and make it…

This paper features several articles previously published in the CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) Forum and News, an e-newsletter CAEL regularly shares with its members. This publication includes a summary of the data gathered in CAEL's 2006 institutional survey on PLA (Prior Learning Assessment), results of a research on…

Since 1998, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) has been instrumental in developing an industry-led approach to online education. In the telecommunications industry, The National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning (NACTEL) began offering customized coursework through its primary educational partner, Pace…

Employers are one of the largest sources of financial support for adult learning today. Some of this support goes to in-house training, but a significant amount--in the tens of billions of dollars, according to some estimates--goes to tuition reimbursement for employees. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) has managed tuition…

As part of its mission to remove the barriers to lifelong learning, CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) launched WorkforceChicago2.0 in 2001 to help influence the culture and policies of the private sector regarding employee learning and development. One of the key goals of this initiative is creating a "voice" for the private…

Discusses the importance of numeracy with the national focus on global competitiveness and a reemphasis on the importance of lifelong learning. Discusses several initiatives and groups dealing with adult numeracy issues. (JOW)

The issue of calculator use in the Adult Basic Education/General Education Delivery (GED) classroom has arisen because of a recommendation that calculators be permitted on the mathematics part of the GED test. Teachers and supervisors are challenged to make calculator use enhance mathematics education. (JOW)

Provides examples of how Internet-based materials are being used to teach adults number sense, data analysis, graphing and measurement as well as to provide practice in computation and estimation. (Author)

Examines some of the primary functions associated with adult education administration as well as some of the essential skills needed to carry out the identified functions (perspective, purpose, community knowledge, communication, coordination, programming, technology, and critical thinking). (JOW)

Discusses the use of formal employee assistance programs (EAPs) with adult students who have personal problems that could affect their school performance. Looks at the differences between EAPs and traditional counseling services: EAPs have a written assistance policy; they institutionalize consistency; they are confidential. (JOW)

Enthusiastic teachers encourage participation, nurture success, teach responsively, heighten understanding with clear examples, understand audience needs, speak appropriately, integrate different teaching methods and activities, strive to challenge learners, and make the closing meaningful. (JOW)

Friends University in Kansas turned its program around by offering more programs during the evening. Success of the adult programming is attributed to business-industry support, pioneering attitudes of faculty and administrators, and adult-learner population needing flexible scheduling. (JOW)

An adult educator without a background in math cotaught the subject to adults in continuing education. The intense learning-by-doing experience gave her insight into adult learning. (JOW)

Four issues to be considered when critiquing the use of portfolio assessment are (1) change in teacher and learner status, (2) problematic nature of teacher authority, (3) what counts as work products in a portfolio, and (4) effect of the educational environment on the freedom of choice that portfolio assessment entails. (JOW)