In an attempt to better design outreach materials for adult learners, the academic counseling division of the Electronic University Network, a private online educational service, collected and reviewed the outreach materials used by eighty-four undergraduate degree granting colleges. We then queried fifty adult learners enrolled in the Electronic University's distance learner's academic counseling service for their opinions on these outreach materials. These adults were all seeking distance degree programs in fields ranging from architecture to telecommunications. Their average age was thirty-six. Our informal study led us to develop the following five essential rules for use in developing future outreach materials.
Adults returning to college do so with doubts.
Distance learning materials must affirm that learning is not age bound in a culture that coveys the contrary. The display of real life role models may be crucial for adult distance learners who are attempting higher education anachronistically, in isolation from immediate peer and faculty support. Also included were snapshots from faculty with quotes that promised easy access along with practical approaches to course topics. The major complaint adults expressed about outreach materials was that the price of college was often dismissed. Interestingly, seven of the eighty-four colleges we surveyed made no mention of the tuition rates or fees for their programs in their outreach materials.