Preparing professionals for lifelong learning: Comparative examination of master’s education programs

There has been continued debate regarding educational policies and practices regarding the lifelong learning social order with significant focus upon the preparation of educators of children and youth for this global lifelong learning society. However, there has been limited discussion and research regarding the professional preparation of lifelong learning adult educators. This article investigates the current status of graduate professional programs to prepare lifelong learning adult educators (individuals who are prepared and credentialed through a professional graduate master's degree in adult education and human resource development). Because of differing international policies and structures of graduate education, this discussion will present a comparative examination of current structures and characteristics of master's degree programs at two institutional sites located in Denmark and the USA. Current objectives, characteristics, and understandings of graduate professional preparation programs will be delineated between these two case studies. Contextual issues and influences in the preparation of lifelong learning adult educators will be discussed, with comparative discussions of cultural norms and policies regarding graduate professional preparation, innovative programmatic and instructional efforts, engagement of theory and best practices in lifelong learning, and comparative cultural differences between program students and faculty.     

Experiential education at the graduate level: A perspective on faculty role and development

Adult development is an implicit component of graduate education. Yet, this idea is often ignored as traditional programs continue to view graduate education as largely a process of intellectual growth, usually detached from other life experience. Sponsored experiential learning provides one context through which adult developmental and intellectual goals may be simultaneously recognized and pursued. Required are a recognition of new roles for faculty and new efforts to help faculty in implementing these roles. The issues surrounding faculty role and faculty development are addressed in the context of a nontraditional graduate program which maximizes opportunities for the use of experiential learning.Dr. Byxbee is Program Director for the Saint Mary's College Graduate Programs in Human Development, Education, and Educational Leadership. He has consulted widely on the topic of nontraditional program development and has recently been active as a consultant to Latin American Educators on the topic of Nontraditional Education and Public Service Administration.     

EXPERIENCE OF RETIREMENT By Robert S. Weiss

A survey was conducted in the 1989‐1990 academic year of 421 American Psychological Association (APA) approved programs offering graduate study at the doctoral level in psychology and associated fields. The purpose was to provide continuing documentation of opportunities for doctoral training in adult development and aging. Results were compared to similar surveys conducted in 1975 and 1984. From 1975‐1984 there was dramatic growth in programs offering specialized training in adult development and aging. For the 1984‐1990 time period, growth proceeded at a much slower rate. Additional survey results indicate that most programs offering specialized training in adult development and aging are located in developmental psychology programs in general psychology departments. In addition, respondents were asked to provide information about opportunities for professional experiences offered doctoral students specializing in adult development and aging. Approximately 50% of programs with specialized doctoral training offer students some combination of teaching, research, or practicum/internship experiences. The need for continued growth in programs offering doctoral students specialized training in adult development and aging is discussed.     

Graduate School as the Third Level of Higher Education: Field of Discourse

This article proposes a shift in the discussion of graduate educational programs (graduate military courses) used to train academic personnel. This proposed shift is toward a social field of discourse where the inconsistencies and uncertainties of the current regulatory framework (for modernizing the training and certification of highly qualified research personnel) are looked at from the perspective of the purpose of graduate school (preparation of a dissertation) and minimized. In addition, the article reviews the public’s decreased interest in graduate school as an institution and compares master’s degree programs, graduate degree programs, and existing global models for the preparation of highly qualified personnel in the graduate schools of institutions of higher education. It is concluded that the social issues of graduate schools are significantly more important than issues related to the development of educational programs.     

Cutting the distance in distance education: Perspectives on what promotes positive,online learning experiences

This qualitative research study was designed to inform the development and implementation of effective online learning environments by exploring, from both teacher and student perspectives, what constitute effective online learning experiences. The study examined course content, tasks, and pedagogical approaches, as identified by students and instructors, which contributed to or hindered positive online learning experiences. Researchers interviewed 6 online course instructors and 10 adult students to understand their experiences in undergraduate and graduate level online degree programs. Using a Cognitive Apprenticeship Model to inform the analysis of data, findings revealed an emphasis on text-based content and lecture; instruction that led to disconnect between students, teachers, and course content and goals; and one innovative program that links real-world experiences with online classroom learning. Given the growing number of online programs, the study provides insight for course development and pedagogy as well as offers possibilities for additional research.     

特需专业研究生创新能力培养途径的探索与实践

本文分析了目前"特需"专业研究生创新能力培养中存在的问题,从构建特需研究生创新人才培养模式、制定特需型研究生培养方案、创建符合特色的实践教学平台、构建高水平研究生队伍及健全研究生学位论文的评价标准等方案进行研究,通过探索找到了符合特需研究生创新能力培养的新的途径。     

GRADUATE EDUCATION IN GERONTOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY: RESULTS OF A SURVEY

A questionnaire concerning graduate offerings in the psychology of aging was mailed to 238 departments of psychology throughout the United States. Of the 191 responses (a return rate of 80%), 16 departments were found to offer a formal program of graduate study in ger‐ontological psychology. An additional 11 departments reported new or planned programs in this specialty area. Of the remaining respondents, 22% reported one or more course offerings in the psychology of aging or one or more faculty with interests in this topic. However, approximately one‐half of the departments of psychology in American universities provided no opportunity for the study of adult development and aging. Information concerning postdoctoral study, programs of study in Canadian universities, and specialization in the clinical psychology of aging was also obtained. Such opportunities do not appear to be plentiful, especially in clinical gerontology.     

GRADUATE TRAINING IN EDUCATION AND AGING: RESULTS OF A NATIONAL SURVEY; PART 1

The graduate departments of adult education at 88 universities in the United States were surveyed for information pertinent to their programs in and about aging. Results show that 55% of the departments offer no courses dealing exclusively with education and aging. Only one department offers a program concentration per se in educational gerontology. Those adult education academic programs that have a seeming interest in education and aging typically offer only an isolated course or two. Much needs to be done if adult education programs are to begin preparing people to meet the learning needs of older adults.     

Graduate education in the People's Republic of China: New steps,new challenges

This article describes the resumption and development of graduate education in China since the end of the Cultural Revolution, the death of Mao Tse-tung, and the rise of a new Chinese leadership headed by Deng Xiaoping in 1976–1977. Based on field research conducted in China in 1980 and 1981, statistical documentation provided by Chinese education officials at national and local levels, and other primary and secondary source material, this study explores admissions patterns and statistics, admissions requirements, examinations and the continuing controversy in graduate enrollment, the stress on enrollment in science and engineering specialties, the different types of institutions training graduate students, the graduate curriculum and academic dissertations, the new Chinese academic degree system and the methods for conferral of degrees, and teaching and research employment patterns. The study stresses the interrelationship of graduate programs and educational and political debate within China since the mid-1960s, and the important problems Chinese graduate programs and educational administrators face in continuing the development of graduate education.     

Issues in alternative graduate education

Most educators are aware that alterantive graduate programs exist in the United States. Few educators understand the exact nature and scope of these programs or the variety of issues that confront their development and viability. This introductory article defines alternative graduate education and identifies the issues and concepts considered to be critical to the conduct of nontraditional graduate study.     

地方“双一流”高校研究生教育体系建设的思考

研究生教育对“双一流”大学建设具有高端引领和战略支撑作用,高水平的研究生教育是世界一流大学和一流学科的突出特征。地方“双一流”高校以系统思维坚持追求卓越来构建一流研究生教育体系,在推进研究生教育高质量发展的实现路径和培养模式上,应借鉴地方标杆大学的成功经验,着力破解育人体系建设、资源优化配置、完善学科设置、创新培养模式、搭建创新平台等关键问题,提升研究生培养改革的整合和协同力度,打造支撑研究生教育高质量发展新引擎。     

Teaching resistant novice educators to be critically reflective

Drawing upon our experience as university faculty in teaching novice educators, we explore the issue of resistance from students around learning that entails critical reflection. By novice educators, we refer to pre-service teacher candidates and graduate students in Education faculties, particularly graduate students in adult education/lifelong learning programs, who often do not have prior Education degrees or extensive experience as educators. We believe novice educators should be taught to be critically reflective, regardless of whether they teach in schools, government, the not-for-profit sector, or business sector.     

Curriculum development for quantitative skills in degree programs: a cross-institutional study situated in the life sciences

Higher education policies are increasingly focused on graduate learning outcomes, which infer an emphasis on, and deep understanding of, curriculum development across degree programs. As disciplinary influences are known to shape teaching and learning activities, research situated in disciplinary contexts is useful to further an understanding of curriculum development. In the life sciences, several graduate learning outcomes are underpinned by quantitative skills or an ability to apply mathematical and statistical thinking and reasoning. Drawing on data from a national teaching project in Australia that explored quantitative skills in the implemented curricula of 13 life sciences degree programs, this article presents four program-level curricular models that emerged from the analysis. The findings are interpreted through the lens of discipline-specific research and general curriculum design theories to further our understanding of curriculum development for graduate learning outcomes. Implications for future research and to guide curriculum development practices in higher education are discussed.     

调整结构 改革培养模式 提高培养质量——哈尔滨工业大学应用型人才培养的探索与实践

本文阐述了哈尔滨工业大学通过加强学校层面的组织协调,有效配置学校资源,改革奖助体系,建设高水平专业学位研究生教学体系,多种渠道进行实践基地建设等举措,调整硕士生培养结构,大力发展工程硕士研究生教育,提高研究生培养质量的探索与实践。     

Becoming a Counselor: A Longitudinal Study of Student Cognitive Development

This study investigated the cognitive development of counseling students during their training program. Results suggest a need to emphasize student cognitive development as strongly as skills development in graduate programs.     

The results of graduate external degree programs: Some emerging patterns

The Institute for Personal and Career Development, the external degree-granting arm of Central Michigan University, has been administering graduate external degree programs for approximately eight years. A survey of the graduates of Institute graduate programs revealed that these graduates are satisfied with the education they received through the Institute's external degree programs, that they have experienced personal and career development which they attribute at least in part to participation in Institute programs, and that they feel the educational goals and objectives of Institute programs have been accomplished.     

外语专业硕士点学科建设应开设儿童文学研究

本针对高校英语专业硕士点英美学研究学科方向设置的现状，参照国内外儿童学发展的大背景，尤其是国内高校汉语言学专业硕士点儿童学方向学科发展的势头，提出应建立外国儿童学研究方向或中外儿童学比较研究方向，拓宽外语专业研究生学研究方向的学科内涵和研究层面，推动高校外语专业硕士研究生教育的这科发展，以适应时代发展的需要。     

U.S. Comparative and International Graduate Programs: An Overview of Programmatic Size,Relevance, Philosophy,and Methodology

Previous work has concentrated on the epistemological foundation of comparative and international education (CIE) graduate programs. This study focuses on programmatic size, philosophy, methodology, and pedagogy. It begins by reviewing previous studies. It then provides a theoretical framework and describes the size, relevance, content, and methodological approaches of U.S.-based graduate programs. This study finds that (a) CIE graduate programs find relevance in today's knowledge economy by addressing the themes of globalization and development; (b) while education policy is a key component of CIE programmatic content, there does not appear to be a general consensus as to what a CIE program should teach; and (c) CIE pedagogy includes four broad categories: the humanities and social science disciplines, regional emphases, cross-cutting fields and theoretical lenses, and professional specializations. Although there appears to be no single formula or unified path, each program must sift through the various methodologies and theoretical tendencies of the field to charter a course that is attractive to students, profitable to its institution, and beneficial to society.     

The Future of Graduate Education in Sport and Exercise Science: A Sport Psychology Perspective

The direction of graduate education in sport psychology has changed considerably since its emergence as a recognizable subdiscipline within exercise and sport science in the late 1960s. This paper describes (a) the structure of current sport psychology specializations within graduate programs based on a survey of 33 programs with sport psychology specializations in the United States, (b) trends in sport psychology graduate education, and (c) concerns regarding the future of graduate education in sport psychology in terms of coursework, research, and applied service provision.     

What Should Instructional Designers & Technologists Know About Human Performance Technology?

Human performance technology (HPT) is having a significant impact on the field of instructional design and technology (IDT), and many IDT graduate programs now offer training in HPT to their students. However, some IDT programs may be struggling with the extent to which they should incorporate the principles and techniques of HPT into their courses. To provide some determination of which specific skills and competencies in HPT graduates of IDT programs should have, an online survey was administered to 24 IDT faculty members and 45 members of local chapters of the International Society for Performance Improvement and the American Society for Training and Development. Respondents rated the importance of HPT competencies for graduates of IDT programs. Results suggest strong support for the inclusion of HPT concepts in the curricula of IDT graduate programs. Implications of these results for IDT graduate programs, as well as for distinguishing HPT as a field of specialization separate from IDT, are discussed.