The focus of teacher education and training is changing dramatically across North America as more and more adult learners return to pursue post-secondary education. This is in sharp contrast to the average age of 19 twenty years ago. The fact that college students today are older when they start college indicates that they are not coming directly from a secondary school education.
Most adults returning to school do so as a result of a significant change in their lives.
Consequently, adult learners are pursuing a college education to start a new career, upgrade existing skills, and meet new challenges on a personal and vocational level. Community college educators must redesign curriculum to meet these demands. For example, like all learners, adults need respect particularly for the wealth of learning experience they already bring to the classroom. They are self-directed in their learning and most want to be active participants in lessons, projects, and activities. They are goal-directed and hence pursue an education as a means to an end.