National Reports on Adult Learners
The following reports are taken from various organizations that are national recognized as leaders in higher education and adult learning.
These reports will give you context and background information that support the work that we have done at WSU recently in the area of adult learning research and the work that we will do throughout this academic year.
- National Adult Student Priorities Report (PDF)
- National Adult Online Learners Priorities Report (PDF)
- 9 Principles of Effectiveness for Serving Adult Learners PDF)
- Assessing Adult Learning Focused Institutions (PDF)
- Charting the Future (PDF)
- Fueling the Race (PDF)
- National Trends in the Adult Student Market (PDF)
- Trends in Adult Learning (PDF)
- Understanding the Unique Needs of Post-Traditional Learners Presentation (PDF)
WSU Focus Groups
2 groups; 12 participants
This follow-up to the Adult Learner Inventory focused on areas where we demonstrated the greatest gaps between student priority (importance) and student satisfaction on the ALI and ISAS.
Key Themes
Adult learners want:
- Credit for Prior Learning
- Ease of transfer of credit
- Help navigating through the university
- Help financing their education – a challenge for part-time students, many of whom are working 30+ hours per week
- More program availability and delivery options
Interviews with WSU Students
Nine interviews, WSU-Rochester students
Interview questions developed around the nine principles of effectiveness in adult education
Key Themes
Adult learners want:
- Orientation and resources specific to their needs
- Flexibility from faculty, staff and employers
- Personal connections to faculty, staff, and other students
- More program offerings
- More academic and career advising
