This study will develop estimates of the benefits and costs associated with various types of distance education and distributed learning in higher education. Case studies involving eight universities will be conducted.

Market-Based Adult Lifelong Learning Performance Measures for Public Libraries Serving Lower Income and Majority-Minority Markets

This study will research, demonstrate, and validate the combined use of marketing principles and information technology to inventory and evaluate adult life long learning needs for majority-minority and low income areas serviced by public libraries. This study will develop, for the first time, a national baseline on adult educational needs in such areas, while also developing a low-cost repeatable methodology that will assist all public librarians in evaluating educational needs in their communities. Check out the project website at http://www.geolib.org.

A Field Initiated Demonstration Project in Support of Special Mission of Community Colleges as Primary Postsecondary Career Educators of Disabled Adults

This project will develop and test a model that two-year colleges can use to better support lifelong career development of disabled adults. The study will focus on student and staff development strategies, curriculum bridges, work-based learning, and cost benefit factors.

A Study of Adult Museum Programs

This project will conduct research on improving adult learning experiences in museums. The study will focus on how museums effectively serve adult audiences, and will examine the methodology upon which adult education programs in museums are based. Findings from this study can be used to help assess museum programs for adults in order to develop ways that adult educators might improve their teaching strategies or teaching styles.

E-Lit.

This project is to determine the effectiveness of providing basic skills instruction through community networks and through Internet to adults who need a high school credential. This researcher, with the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, Johnston C. Smith University, the Charlotte Housing Authority, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and TRO Learning, Inc., will examine how community-based institutions can use new, low-cost technologies to expand opportunities for adult lifelong learners.

Enhancing Faculty Contributions to Learning Productivity

This project will examine how faculty influence undergraduate student learning. These results will inform recommendations for specific policies and practices at departmental, institutional, and state levels to promote more effective faculty contributions to undergraduate learning. The research design integrates national survey data on faculty with in-depth case studies of faculty work and student learning in nine institutions operating in three state policy environments.