This two-volume report summarizes the main findings of a study for the Commission of the European Communities which explored the principal issues involved in the use of mass media and distance education methods for adult basic education in an European context. Volume I introduces and defines the nature of adult basic education, describes the conduct of the studies, identifies important themes and issues in the use of multimedia methods, and ends with recommendations addressed to the commission for actions at a community level. A checklist of important points concerning the use of multimedia methods for adult basic education and a 30-page reference list are included. Intended as an initial reference and resource document on the use of multimedia materials for adult basic education in Europe, the second volume contains three appendices which provide (1) summaries of the case studies of individual projects; (2) a directory of relevant projects and initiatives in Europe; and (3) an annotated bibliography, which covers documents relating to individual projects and initiatives in the study countries and also lists references to documents containing information on national programs for basic adult education. (LMM)