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ERIC Number: ED217152
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1980
Pages: 10
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Discovering Clues for Facilitating Relevant Adult Learning.
Young, Raymond J.
A study was conducted in Spokane, Washington, to determine motivational factors and preferred conditions that would encourage adults to participate in learning activities. Interviews were conducted with 600 randomly selected households (89 percent success rate) distributed across the age, educational attainment, occupational, and socioeconomic spectrum. It was found that the predominant purpose for participating in some kind of learning activity for adults of all ages was to complete a program they had once started. Second in importance to women of all ages was meeting new people and becoming better informed, while men were interested in learning something to help them on their jobs and learning something to use in their spare time. Variations of the ranking of these motivations were seen among age and sex groups. The study found that the nontraditional method of learning that had been used most by both men and women was supervised independent study, followed in order by video tape cassettes, correspondence courses, audio cassettes, and educational television. The respondents preferred educational television, cable television, and supervised independent study for learning programs. Most adults preferred classes at a college over other locations, and most preferred early weekday evenings for course times, although this varied among age and sex groups. It was concluded that study of such factors is helpful for educators who wish to enroll more adult students in learning programs. (KC)
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A