Abstract This Ideas in Practice article investigates lifelong learning practices in a women’s studies course at a program of Osher OLLI (Lifelong Learning Institute). The course adopted a holistic and positive approach by celebrating lifelong learners’ strengths—their invaluable backgrounds and life experiences—fostering vitality and wholesomeness in older adults. By engaging them in active and participative

Abstract The purpose of this study is to report on the recognition of prior learning (RPL) experiences of students and academics in a graduate context at an open distance learning (ODL) institution. Although students and academics are the key participants in the RPL process for access to graduate studies, their experiences regarding the process, specifically in an ODL context, appear to be under-investigated

Abstract This article compares the hireability of doctoral graduates of online and traditional public affairs programs in the United States. In this context, “hireability” refers to the measure of how likely it is that someone may be hired. There has been an expansion in the number of awarded doctoral degrees, particularly through online degree programs, yet there has not been a commensurate expansion

Abstract Transfer of knowledge, skills, and experience is critical in an increasingly competitive knowledge-based global economy. Research indicates major issues relating to transfer of learning, including (a) the complex nature of transfer, (b) the multiple variables affecting transfer, and (c) the limited knowledge of instructional methodologies for facilitating transfer across disciplines and learning

Abstract This study aimed at building a reliable and valid scale for environmental factors related to student persistence in online courses, particularly relevant for adults or lifelong learners. Drawing on the social integration and external attribution scales and subscales of Kember et al. as a starting point, data collected in Canadian universities were randomly split into two samples. The first

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global issue which has a broad impact, especially in the education world. This study aims to analyze students’ learning anxiety at the Universitas Raharja Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research was conducted with regular student (morning classes) and non-regular student groups (afternoon classes) at the Universitas Raharja. The data collection

Abstract Some graduate engineering students, returners, have spent many years in industry before returning to school. Others, direct pathway students, complete a master’s degree along with the undergraduate degree or go back to school fairly quickly after their undergraduate degree has been obtained. The focus of this study was to investigate the differences and similarities in direct pathway and returners

Abstract The terms “mindfulness” and “meditation” often are used synonymously. In Western cultures, mindfulness and meditation practices are primarily utilized for the purpose of stress reduction. Through this study, researchers and practitioners who employ these practices in their academic work at a singular state university reveal distinct definitions of the two terms. Also, various outcomes in addition

(2020). Notes and Trends. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education: Vol. 68, No. 3, pp. 207-210.

Abstract This phenomenological qualitative study employed Photovoice to investigate the experiences of college student service members and veterans (SSM/V) in relation to the transition from the military to higher education. Twelve participants took three photographs per day for seven days that reflected their everyday experiences as SSM/V. Individual interviews and focus groups engaged participants

Abstract This project explores student veterans’ perceptions of the strengths they bring to a university and how those strengths affect their academic performances. We employed mixed methods by conducting an online survey and interviews with 115 student veterans in a large southwestern public university. Findings reveal that student veterans perceive that they have strengths in communication, diversity

Abstract As higher education continues to see a changing student population, there is clear evidence that food insecurity is a real concern on college campuses. The need to increase food availability and access on campuses is critical to the retention and educational experiences of students. Eight students participated in interviews about their experience with food insecurity. This study also examined

Abstract The global economy’s dependency upon engineers is exacerbated by a lack of qualified engineers. Most engineering students fail to complete the credential. According to the American Society for Engineering Education (2018), the high dropout rate has been correlated to satisfaction with the learning experience. Investigation of an international accelerated blended distance program designed for

Abstract The majority of students enrolled in college today work at least part-time. Although the benefits of working have been noted for years, institutions of higher education tend to operate under the assumption that students should prioritize their academic careers over their employment. First we review literature examining why students work, the benefits and drawbacks of working, and the type

Abstract For over 20 years, I have worked for various types of organizations as a higher education administrator, consultant, and Quality Matters Peer Reviewer. Some of my responsibilities consisted of leading the instructional, design, development, delivery, and maintenance of all online courses. The purpose of this article is to present some of the online course content, instructional design, and

Abstract Individuals who are 50 years or older are the largest growing demographic among adult learners. However, we still are in the initial stages of investigating their attitudes and anxieties regarding specific areas of study. The current study explored differences between 92 younger (26–49 years) and older (50+ years) nontraditional-aged, degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students’ attitudes

Abstract Research examining noncognitive predictors of academic success among ethnic minority, nontraditional college students is scant. The present study examined the degree to which noncognitive variables (conscientiousness, grit, college self-efficacy, time management, and test anxiety) predict achievement (college GPA) among ethnically diverse college students. We also explored the degree to which

Abstract As the master’s education market continues to expand, Indonesia will be amongst the key markets, especially for the MBA program. Universities are faced with challenges and opportunities in acquiring the increasing MBA market. The present study uses conjoint analysis to explore Indonesia’s MBA market preferences in choosing a university by examining the tradeoffs made on attributes considered

Abstract With the changing demographics in postsecondary educational settings in the United States, including university students who do not speak English as their home language and must juggle multiple responsibilities along with their studies, are instructors adequately prepared to address the complex needs of their adult emergent bi/multilingual learners (EBLs)? This qualitative study explored the

Abstract The study’s purpose is twofold and examines (a) major challenges veterans may encounter while enrolled in higher education, and (b) veterans’ perceptions of utilizing higher education as a transitional tool to the civilian workforce. A qualitative design was employed in this study. Data were collected utilizing three focus groups (N = 11). The findings concerning veterans’ challenges in pursuit

Abstract Recent data reveal that nearly half of all full-time undergraduate students in the U.S. are employed, which means balancing competing responsibilities related to work, school, family, and social lives. The purpose of this pilot interview study was to understand the experiences of full-time college students who work at least 30 h per week. Four interviews were conducted, and interview data

Abstract Comprehensive exams, or “comps,” are a staple of doctoral programs as a way for students to express their understanding of material, synthesize their learning, and apply that learning to their fields of study; further, comps are deemed a rite of passage prior to advancing to the dissertation stage of the doctoral degree. Literature reviewed on the benefits/challenges of comps reflects a theme

Abstract For blended and fully online learning environments, the appropriate device usage and application, as well as students’ perceived comfort with technology, may influence their success within the e-Learning setting. Additionally, institutional awareness of student technology needs—including student support needs as they relate to accessible technology—is essential to create an inclusive and supportive

Abstract Engagement and motivation of online students have been explored by many online instructors and researchers. This article presents the rationale that online engagement is best achieved when both students and instructors are actively motivated by course learning and objectives. Modern learners enjoy interactive and practical exercises to demonstrate their knowledge in addition to student-instructor

Recent polls have found a discrepancy between educators’ enthusiasm for technology in the classroom and the real impact on student education attainment. One study found that the “test score gap between students who use technology frequently and those who don’t is largest among students from low-income families.” Reasons for this difference vary. A suggested explanation is the level of distraction the

Abstract Based on self-concept, role experience, and readiness to learn andragogy’s assumptions, this phenomenological research identifies the types of instructional strategies that professors use in a mixed undergraduate classroom to benefit traditional students’ and adult learners’ active participation in the classroom. The majority of studies emphasize that professors tend to manage instructional

Abstract Much development has happened in the education sector in African countries. In Kenya, there has been a proliferation of institutions of higher learning. Severe cuts in government funding for public higher education have resulted in the privatization of higher education and the need for adjunct faculty as a way to cut costs. Research suggests that although there is a rise in reliance on adjunct

Abstract Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) has been available at the undergraduate level for decades. This article provides information to encourage institutions to consider implementing graduate-level PLA. It provides an analysis of the increasing demand for graduate education in the U.S. and shows the growing number of non-traditional graduate students who could potentially benefit from graduate-level

Abstract Undergraduates need to develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and deep understanding of concepts. Concept maps are considered an educational tool that promotes meaningful learning and that has demonstrated potential effects in the learning process. Based on studies carried out in adult/higher education, the aim of this review is to identify the effects of concept mapping activities

Abstract The University of St. Francis’s College of Business and Health Administration operates a campus business incubator for student and community entrepreneurs. The business incubator is an innovative use of space that supports the economic development of the region and entrepreneurial education that includes for-credit and non-credit programming. Incubator programs are not a new concept, but they

Abstract Faculty, administration, and student veterans at a small midwestern community college collaborated to develop a Veterans Resource Center, a physical space in which veterans can congregate to build camaraderie and find resources specific to their needs as veterans. A needs analysis was first conducted to prioritize the needs of the student veteran community; then representatives from the college’s

Abstract Developmental English in urban-serving community colleges was considered as the site where racial and ethnic minority students who are deemed underprepared for college must learn the white, middle-class literacy conventions valued in higher education. The idea of symbolic violence—the systematic devaluation of one’s culture—was used as a theoretical framework to synthesize the available evidence

A few months ago, for my professional job at Pearson Online Learning Services, I co-conducted a training that covered online engineering program accreditation, education requirements, and licensure. Yes, it was scintillating (full sarcasm intended). While the topic was not riveting for most people, the training was necessary to assist online student support advisors who needed to reference specific

Abstract This study investigated students’ Internet attitudes and feelings of connectedness in their graduate programs using a quantitative survey design approach. Two modified instruments were administered to students in graduate programs at a small, land-grant university. One hundred forty-three graduate students completed the online survey. Findings indicate participants had moderately positive

At Stevens Institute of Technology, students had written computer programs or bots to help speed up their ability to register for classes and get an edge in course selection. For those students without the bots, they found themselves at a disadvantage in class selection. And for those with the bots, if they forgot to delete their names from the bots, other students using the bots could disenroll those

Abstract Improved educational technology provides new opportunities and tools for enhanced teaching and learning. However, low efficacy with technology adversely affects nontraditional students’ course and college outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine nontraditional student perceptions of educational technology tools. We thematically coded 10 discussion forums and 239 analyses

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of employability and success among workforce education and development (WED) graduates. A quantitative study was conducted through the administration of an online survey to graduates (N = 85) of a WED program located within a midwestern, state university. The survey included demographic questions and a Likert-scale questionnaire consisting

Abstract Failure to thrive among nontraditional graduate students—whether by attrition, degree noncompletion, or failure—may represent an inability to manage competing demands rather than an inability to perform academically. University personnel have considered themselves limited in the ability to support non-traditional students to overcome nonacademic barriers to persistence and degree completion

Abstract Little is known about the experiences of lesbian and gay faculty and students in continuing education. In order to address this gap, this article introduces and discusses a research project conducted to understand the struggles and accomplishments of both lesbian and gay male faculty and students in continuing education (CE) in university settings. Six CE instructors and six CE students were

Abstract Andragogy provides a framework for how adults learn, and contemporary researchers have explored its validity and usefulness in varied contexts. This article joins the discussion by examining andragogy in an as-yet-unstudied setting—an outdoor science education event (HJA Day). In this mixed-methods study, we examine how andragogy applies to HJA Day at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in

Abstract Higher education research pertaining to student descriptions and successes has classically been directed toward traditional four- and two-year institutions while those institutions referred to as “branch” campuses have been largely ignored. Our research used a cohort methodology to track a single group of students for six years to compare a branch to main campus of a large (>15,000 students)

The Sand Palace, a home in Mexico Beach, Florida, survived the destruction of Hurricane Michael almost unscathed. It was built to exceed the building codes required in the Panhandle, which are less stringent than those for buildings on the Atlantic side of the state. Given the severity of the hurricanes, such results may have states rethinking their building codes. The New York Times, October 14, 2018

Universities are complicated organizations with varying institutional missions and priorities, centralized and decentralized operations, divisions of employee type (staff versus faculty versus contingent employee), and competing affiliations between the institution and the academic or professional discipline on a national, or international, scale. While many in our industry will argue against the corporatization

Abstract What makes one adult student persistent? What makes another student bound for failure? In this article, we will explore the literature available since 2000 on the subject of adult student persistence. This study is in several sections. One deals with the factors that students bring with them into college, i.e., the background or internal factors. The second deals with the factors that affect

Keep it simple. Focus on the students. Those may be the most important takeaways from the experience of partnering our two educational institutions for the past eight years to ensure that students consistently and happily graduate with bachelor’s degrees. Adult students over the age of 25 juggle many priorities and have responsibilities that can push degree completion to a back burner. The approach

The role of the academic department chair is arguably one of the most challenging in institutions of higher education, yet for the most part these academic leaders receive little training for the variety of management and leadership functions they are expected to perform. According to Gmelch (2013), “... academic leader development is the least studied and most misunderstood management process in America”

Abstract Graduate-level academic advisors play an important role in setting the conditions for effective student learning. The advisor role may include more than administrative characteristics. The advisor role may include leader development features setting the conditions for lifelong learning affecting student leadership, scholarship, and practice. The purpose of this study was to obtain student

Abstract One significant function community colleges serve is the provision of training programs for today’s jobs. Students in job training programs are pursuing valued industry credentials and occupational skill sets to prepare themselves for new employment opportunities. Others are interested in retraining and professional development. Historically, community colleges have been a premier source of

Abstract For mid- to upper-level administrators in higher education who are well-established in their careers and attempting to balance the multiple responsibilities of school, work, and family, an executive EdD program may provide the flexibility and support needed to consider pursuing a doctoral degree. The purpose of this study was to explore student experiences with the cohort model in an executive

Abstract Many students return to graduate programs as experts in their prior fields. “Returners,” as they are commonly termed, have undergraduate degrees and have worked five or more years before returning for a graduate degree. While there is a significant body of literature on graduate students in general, there is less research on students returning to graduate studies after accumulating career

Abstract The purpose of this instrumental case study was to understand how experienced adult educators practice and identify with experiential andragogy for qualitative research methodology in nonformal faculty development programs hosted by an institution of higher education that administers professional military education (PME) programs. Emergent themes included the significance of learning environments

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore single-mother college students’ perceptions of their college-related experiences and to learn about campus services related to these experiences that could help them during their college journey. Ten single mothers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Five themes emerged from the data: mothers are motivated by their

Abstract The aim of education in the 21st century is to cultivate a whole person, not just a professional. Therefore, obtaining an academic qualification (standard credentials) is not enough and other qualities (soft credentials) are also important, including the ability to properly package and present one’s credentials and capabilities. This article focuses on a pilot study on career development learning

Abstract Who are adult undergraduates? How do we define this specialized clientele for program designs, support services, and research? Given changing profiles of young collegiate adults as part-time, worker, parent, and e-learning students, how do we differentiate these younger adults from our older adult undergraduates for our services and advocacy? These questions are explored through an abbreviated

Abstract The new learning economy is proving that a valuable relationship exists between employers who provide learning benefits and employees who take advantage of these programs. However, much of the evidence is not generalizable due to the anecdotal nature of the success stories. Even though some of these corporate programs currently feel more like corporate social responsibility initiatives, their

Abstract This qualitative case study examines the personal experiences of the authors as members of an informal support group during the dissertation phase of their doctoral process. The group consisted of four Caucasian women ranging in age from 33 to 51 years of age when the group formed. Group e-mail messages in the form of archival data taken from their electronic conversations were analyzed, and

Since 2002, nearly one million veterans have pursued higher education upon completion of their military service (Chrisinger, 2016); however, the military-to-academic transition has been fraught with challenges. Despite concrete efforts by an increasing number of colleges and universities to help veterans make the transition, one recurring theme persists—many veterans feel isolated due to the lack of

Abstract Student engagement is a prerequisite for successful learning. Due to the tremendous change in the use of information and communication technologies, the nature of this engagement has had to adapt to fit a hybrid approach of teaching and learning. In this qualitative study, three focus group discussions were conducted that aimed to investigate adult learners’ perspectives on their engagement

For adult learners, the decision to return to postsecondary education is a major one. The time, effort, and money it takes to complete a degree from beginning to end can make it difficult to commit to a full program of study. With the rise of flexible learning modalities including hybrid and fully online programs, those seeking higher education opportunities now have more options than ever before.

Faculty members often collaborate on research and service projects, but teaching remains a relatively solitary activity (Gizir & Simsek, 2005 ; Ramsden, 1998 ). While students attend classes taught by various faculty members, faculty members remain largely unaware of the innovative and pedagogical improvements in teaching made by their colleagues. Exceptions occur when colleagues present and share