Curriculum delivery
Adult students want quality and convenience. New technology allows many adults to pursue an education online without leaving their homes. Technology also expands access — and its use isn't restricted to the Internet. Educators can use television, the telephone and many other common communication tools to reach adult students. To better serve this growing population, many colleges and universities offer accelerated courses, which may last only five weeks and include as few as 20 classroom hours. Read about a couple of colleges that are making adult learners a priority:
- Rio Salado College — Known as the "college without walls," Rio Salado offers serveral flexible options to its adult learners. Many students take classes through partnerships developed with area corporations and government agencies. Others take classes online through the college’s online distance-learning program. Students have access to a Technology Help Desk for computer issues, an Instructional Help Desk for coursework questions, and tutoring assistance by cell phone.
- Regis University — This university established a Center for the Study of Accelerated Learning to serve the growing number of U.S. institutions offering accelerated learning programs. Currently, these institutions have no association or formal means of communication. Regis University wants to fill that void by convening the nation's practitioners in accelerated learning. View a database of accelerated programs at the Commission for Accelerated Programs Web site.
Lumina Foundation's
Learning in the Fast Lane (PDF) compares adult students' success rates in traditional and accelerated college programs. This reports focuses on three research questions:
- Are there characteristics or attributes distinguishing adults who remain in college and complete their degrees from those who do not?
- How do adult students’ characteristics and attributes affect their academic success?
- Are there differences between the characteristics and attributes of adult students who persist and succeed in accelerated programs and those who persist and succeed in traditional programs?
