Over the past decade, Prensky's distinctions between "digital immigrants" and "digital natives" have been oft-referenced. Much has been written about digital native students as a part of the Net generation or as Millennials. However, little work fully considers the impact of digital immigrant discourse within the fields of…

Writing recently in this journal, two of Canada's veteran adult educators contemplated the "death" of the Canadian adult education movement. I disagree and argue that adult education in Canada is as vital an activity as ever and one that still fully justifies being called a movement. Specifically, Selman and Selman (2009) list five trends that…

Analyzes the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's Jobs Study, which advocated a two-tier economy: high-skill jobs and low-skill, low-wage jobs to absorb the unemployed. Shows how Canada has adopted some of these strategies under the guise of structural adjustment. Advocates a social policy role for adult educators. (Contains 35…

Continuing education instructors (n=65) developed and analyzed metaphors for their self-image as practitioners. Metaphor themes included adventure guides, outfitters, firestarters, and caregivers. Metaphor making stimulated critical reflection, provided self-validation, and helped them understand other educators. (Contains 35 references.) (SK)

Responses from 179 Canadian continuing education staff found that 55% were over 45; 35% had more than five years experience; 78% were in tenure-track positions; 62% were women, who had 52% of deanships. Men were significantly more likely to have tenure, hold academic rank, and have more experience. (SK)

Economic globalization is having ill effects on employment, wages, and job quality. Training is not a panacea for these problems, and adult educators should not allow themselves to be manipulated by the rhetoric. They should inform themselves, stimulate public debate, and propose alternatives. (SK)

Examines economic trends of digitization, downsizing, globalization, and privatization and their relationship to virtual education. Urges educators to consider social and cultural values and the contrast between the social-bonding model of communication underlying the public culture of education and the transmission model underlying the culture of…

This section's thematic heading includes "University Continuing Education Units' Commitment to Research: Program Development as Scholarly Work" (Blaney); "An Invitation to the Dance: The Importance of Practitioners Undertaking Research in Adult and Continuing Education" (Thompson); and "Research in University Continuing Education Is Dead: Long…

Arguing against the agenda of economic globalization, the author describes its impact on Canada. Interviews with nine extension and two university adult educators suggest ways to challenge it: educate on public policy issues, examine the impact of the new economic order through discussion and debate, and link with other social movements. (SK)

In a survey, 50 continuing education faculty expressed concern about setting the right climate in the first session of a course. They attempt to balance students' needs and concerns with course and content issues. Although they wanted to create the proper social climate, they were only moderately concerned about "getting acquainted." (SK)