Education practices focused on adult learners, such as prior learning assessment (PLA), are becoming more established in the United States. Initially, PLA was developed to provide greater access to higher education for World War II veterans and later for adult learners more generally as a way to balance the concentrated efforts most colleges and…

The article argues that, historically, universities have served a select few individuals as part of modernist not transformative agenda. This highly selective process guarantees students good life. The article argues that university education helps to redress colonial inequities through creating opportunities for graduate employability. However,…

This study aims to examine the academic motivation of students in two therapeutic health professions along with their individual attitudes toward professional training and continuing higher education in Germany. The self-determination theory was taken as a theoretical basis, and the intercultural validated German version of the original French…

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan tracked a cohort of 39 international medical graduates (IMGs) in rural Saskatchewan and discovered that 51% left the province within five years (personal communication). A study by Basky, Mathew, Edwards, and Rourke (2007) found that half a cohort of IMGs in rural Newfoundland and Labrador…

In recent years, procedures have been established in Flanders for "Prior Learning Assessment" (PLA) outside the formal learning circuit, of which the portfolio is a regular component. In order to maximize the possibilities of acknowledgement of prior learning assessment, the Flemish government is looking for a set of common criteria and principles…

An overview of distance teaching in Hungary and other East/Central European countries identified barriers: lack of tuition reimbursement, institutional mergers, limited Internet access, teacher-directed instruction, English proficiency, and technical support. Promising signs are apparent in Hungarian teacher education programs using distance…

Interviews with 17 Dutch higher education stakeholders found that, although lifelong learning is increasingly important in policy, government and institutional initiatives do not seem informed by strategic understanding of social, economic, and cultural changes. Adult learning experiences and trajectories are not considered. The needs of part-time…

A British Columbia off-campus program enables cohorts of adults to undertake graduate study at a distance. Groups promote transformative learning and continuing professional development. Key principles include adult-centered learning; diverse, inclusive groups; learner participation in program design; and collaborative learning. (Contains 49…

Learning at Work is a Scottish program attempting to widen access to higher education across socioeconomic groups through work-based learning. Factors limiting participation include motivation, employer perceptions of the value of higher education, lack of a learning culture, and economic feasibility. (SK)

In Australia, a survey of 19 college of education faculty showed that those interested in teaching adult and community education generally lacked relevant qualifications, experience, and research. Employment of new staff, retraining of existing staff, and infrastructure development were recommended to meet the needs of a diverse spectrum of adult…

A Latin American scholar suggests that the U.S. system for correspondence and audiovisual education has potential for an international effort to improve distance education in Latin America. Special considerations for Latin American populations, communications, and logistics and experiences in developing such programs at Pennsylvania State…

Interviews and observation of social work education and continuing education for health education teachers in Hungary elicited ways U.S. educators can help: (1) sharing curricula, models, and information on program design, needs assessment, marketing, and evaluation; (2) educating the educators; (3) encouraging research on international issues;…

The Universite de Montreal offers programs of cultural enrichment and personal development to the community. Les Belles Soirees are very successful as outreach and public relations vehicles; they provide continuing education for professionals and serve faculty as a testing ground for new ideas. (SK)

Reviews the policies, programs, and funding of continuing professional education in the European Community. Envisions the role of U.S. continuing education providers in Europe in the future. (SK)

Responses from 66 coordinators and 29 clients of the Queensland Open Learning Network showed that a diverse group was interested in adult/community education; 45% of providers had no formal qualifications; external study (such as teleconferencing) was the most desired delivery mode; and recognition of prior learning was important. (SK)