Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Feb. 29, 2008). Directed by Samuel D. Miller; submitted to the School of Education. Includes bibliographical references (p. 92-98).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-260). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-87).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 237-260). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-87). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 204-218).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves 149-156.

Counsellors are advised to include developmental knowledge of each adult student client into their practice and, in particular, to differentiate between those who are experiencing intrapersonal transformation and those who are not. The research, however, lacks guidance on specific ways counsellors might pragmatically accomplish this. Using an interpretative qualitative research approach, this study considered whether it was possible to discern a group of adult students' developmental distinctions by locating developmentally unique points of view they had towards experiences adjusting to school. Participants were eleven female and four male adult students attending a British Columbia college; ages ranged in ages from early thirties to late fifties. Each participated in one audiotaped interview. Open-ended questions focused on gaining an understanding of their perceptions of their experiences adjusting to school. Issues salient to a participant were probed to determine meaning-making. Four dimensions of analysis were conducted on the data, transcripts of interviews. The first two dimensions located participants within the context of research literature on adult students. Consistent with other studies, though participants' life circumstances differed, they shared similar experiences. They had returned to school in response to a life transition, held common attitudes towards their schooling and faced similar challenges adjusting to school. The third dimension of data analysis assessed each participant's epistemological structure according to Robert Kegan's (1982, 1994) Constructive-Developmental theory. These findings revealed that, as a group, they were developmentally diverse. When interviewed, they had described their experiences from seven qualitatively different developmental perspectives. Nine participants had constructed meaning from varying phases of developmental transformation. The fourth dimension of data analysis synthesized previous findings. Differences in the meanings participants attached to some experiences they shared in common, their unique points of view, were concluded to be sufficiently reflective of specific epistemological structures to be considered a useful heuristic for recognizing clients' developmental distinctions. Developmentally distinctive points of view were reported, within the context of relevant adjustment issues, as Developmental Indicators—conclusive examples of how participants demonstrated developmental structures and phases of transformation, and also as Developmental Clues—inconclusive probabilities of developmental distinctions. / Graduate

Chan, Wai Nga Gloria. / Thesis submitted in: December 2006. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 278-285). / Abstracts in English and Chinese ; appendix also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT (ENGLISH) --- p.i / ABSTRACT (CHINESE) --- p.iv / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vi / TABLE OF CONTENT --- p.viii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xix / Chapter Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Background to this Study --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Purpose of this Study --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3. --- Significance of this Study --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4. --- Organization of this Thesis --- p.3 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.5 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- "Motivation, Investment and Language Learning" --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Socio-psychological Approach to Motivation --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Motivation as a Socio-educational Model --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Instrumental and Integrative Motivation --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Motivation in Self-determination Theory --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Individual Differences and Language Learning --- p.17 / Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- Personality --- p.18 / Chapter 2.2.3.2 --- Self-esteem --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Motivation and Investment of Adult Language Learners --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.4.1 --- Differences between Child-Adult Learners --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2.4.2 --- Investment of Adult Language Learners --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Language Learning and Socio-cultural Theory --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3 --- Shift in Perspective in Adult Education from Transmission of Knowledge to Transformative Learning --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Different Perspectives on Adult Education --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Definition and the Emergence of Mezirow's Transformative Theory --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Transformation in Meaning Perspectives and Meaning Schemes --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.2.3 --- Indication of Transformative Learning --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Recognition of the Value of Lifelong Learning in Hong Kong --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4 --- Summary --- p.37 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY --- p.39 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.39 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research Design --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3 --- Participants --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Selection Criteria for the Focused Cases --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Demographic and Language Background --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Profile of Participants --- p.42 / Chapter 3.4 --- Instrumentation --- p.46 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Focus Group Interviews --- p.47 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Participant Observation and Informal Conversation --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Semi-structured Individual Interviews --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Survey --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Triangulation of Data --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5 --- Data Collection and Processing --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Open-ended Focus Group Interviews --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Semi-structured Individual Interview --- p.54 / Chapter 3.6 --- Data Analysis --- p.55 / Chapter 3.7 --- Validity and Reliability --- p.55 / Chapter 3.8 --- Ethics --- p.57 / Chapter 3.9 --- Limitations --- p.58 / Chapter 3.10 --- Summary --- p.59 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS -SUN AND KRISTY'S STORIES --- p.61 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2 --- Sun's Story --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- English Learning and Use in Childhood --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.1.1 --- Influence of Family and Community --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.1 --- Parental Influence --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.2 --- Influence of Siblings --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.1.1.3 --- Influence of Community --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.1.2 --- Formal Schooling (Kindergarten to Secondary Three) --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.1.2.1 --- Learning Experiences in Formal Schools --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.1.2.2 --- English Teachers --- p.70 / Chapter 4.2.1.2.3 --- Attitudes Towards Education and English Learning in Formal Schools --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- English Language Learning and Use in the Workplace --- p.76 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- Recognition and Confidence Gained from the Workplace --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Use of English in the Workplace --- p.79 / Chapter 4.2.2.3 --- Attitudes Towards English and English Learning in the Workplace. --- p.81 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Returning to the English Classroom --- p.81 / Chapter 4.2.3.1 --- Motivation --- p.82 / Chapter 4.2.3.2 --- Attitudes Towards English and English Learning --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.3.3 --- Investment in Learning English --- p.85 / Chapter 4.2.3.4 --- Influence of Family and Community --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.3.5 --- English Learning Experiences in Adulthood --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.3.6 --- Course Instructors --- p.94 / Chapter 4.2.3.7 --- Classmates --- p.96 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Impact of English Learning at Adulthood --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.4.1 --- Increased Confidence in Using English --- p.101 / Chapter 4.2.4.2 --- Better Job Opportunities --- p.102 / Chapter 4.2.4.3 --- Better Self-perception --- p.103 / Chapter 4.2.4.4 --- Psychological Well-being --- p.104 / Chapter 4.3 --- Kristy's Story --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- English Learning and Use in Childhood --- p.105 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Influence of Family and Community --- p.106 / Chapter 4.3.1.1.1 --- Influence of Parents --- p.106 / Chapter 4.3.1.1.2 --- Influence of Siblings --- p.109 / Chapter 4.3.1.1.3 --- Influence of Community --- p.110 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Formal Schooling (Kindergarten to Secondary Four) --- p.111 / Chapter 4.3.1.2.1 --- Learning Experiences in Formal Schools --- p.111 / Chapter 4.3.1.2.2 --- English Teachers --- p.115 / Chapter 4.3.1.2.3 --- Attitudes Towards Education and English Language Learning --- p.119 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- English Language Learning and Use at the Workplace --- p.121 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Use of English in the Workplace --- p.122 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Attitudes Towards English and English Learning at the Workplace --- p.123 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Returning to the English Classroom as an Adult --- p.124 / Chapter 4.3.3.1 --- Motivation --- p.124 / Chapter 4.3.3.2 --- Attitude Towards English and English Learning --- p.125 / Chapter 4.3.3.3 --- Investment in Learning English --- p.125 / Chapter 4.3.3.4 --- Influence of Family and Community --- p.127 / Chapter 4.3.3.5 --- English Learning Experiences in Adulthood --- p.132 / Chapter 4.3.3.6 --- Course Instructors --- p.133 / Chapter 4.3.3.7 --- Classmates --- p.134 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Impact of English Learning in Adulthood --- p.137 / Chapter 4.3.4.1 --- Increased Self-confidence and Confidence in Using English --- p.137 / Chapter 4.3.4.2 --- Better Job Opportunities --- p.140 / Chapter 4.3.4.3 --- Psychological Well-being --- p.142 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary --- p.143 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS -EVA AND PAM'S STORIES --- p.148 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.148 / Chapter 5.2 --- Eva's Story --- p.150 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- English Learning and Use in Childhood --- p.150 / Chapter 5.2.1.1 --- Influence of Family and Community --- p.150 / Chapter 5.2.1.1.1 --- Influence of Parents and Siblings --- p.150 / Chapter 5.2.1.1.2 --- The Influence of Community --- p.153 / Chapter 5.2.1.2 --- Formal Schooling (Kindergarten to Secondary One) --- p.155 / Chapter 5.2.1.2.1 --- Learning Experiences in Formal Schools --- p.156 / Chapter 5.2.1.2.2 --- English Teachers --- p.158 / Chapter 5.2.1.2.3 --- Attitudes Towards Education and English Language Learning --- p.166 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- English Language Learning and Use at the Workplace --- p.168 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Use of English at the Workplace --- p.168 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Returning to the English Classroom as an Adult --- p.168 / Chapter 5.2.3.1 --- Motivation --- p.169 / Chapter 5.2.3.2 --- Attitude Towards English and English Learning --- p.170 / Chapter 5.2.3.3 --- Investment in Learning English --- p.172 / Chapter 5.2.3.4 --- Influence of Family and Community --- p.176 / Chapter 5.2.3.5 --- English Learning Experiences in Adulthood --- p.181 / Chapter 5.2.3.6 --- Course Instructors --- p.181 / Chapter 5.2.3.7 --- Classmates --- p.182 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Impact of English Learning in Adulthood --- p.184 / Chapter 5.2.4.1 --- Increased Self-confidence --- p.184 / Chapter 5.2.4.2 --- Better Self-perception --- p.187 / Chapter 5.2.4.3 --- Psychological Well-being --- p.189 / Chapter 5.3 --- Pam's Story --- p.190 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- English Learning and Use in Childhood --- p.191 / Chapter 5.3.1.1 --- Influence of Family and Community --- p.191 / Chapter 5.3.1.1.1 --- Influence of Parents and Siblings --- p.191 / Chapter 5.3.1.1.2 --- The Influence of Community --- p.196 / Chapter 5.3.1.2 --- Formal Schooling (Kindergarten to Secondary One) --- p.197 / Chapter 5.3.1.2.1 --- Learning Experiences in Formal Schools --- p.197 / Chapter 5.3.1.2.2 --- English Teachers --- p.198 / Chapter 5.3.1.2.3 --- Attitudes Towards Education and English Language Learning --- p.201 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- English Language Learning and Use at the Workplace --- p.203 / Chapter 5.3.2.1 --- Use of English at the Workplace --- p.203 / Chapter 5.3.2.2 --- Attitudes Towards English and English Learning at the Workplace --- p.203 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Returning to the English Classroom as an Adult --- p.204 / Chapter 5.3.3.1 --- Motivation --- p.204 / Chapter 5.3.3.2 --- Attitude Towards English and English Learning --- p.209 / Chapter 5.3.3.3 --- Investment in Learning English --- p.212 / Chapter 5.3.3.4 --- Influence of Family and Community --- p.215 / Chapter 5.3.3.5 --- English Learning Experiences in Adulthood --- p.217 / Chapter 5.3.3.6 --- Course Instructors --- p.217 / Chapter 5.3.3.7 --- Classmates --- p.220 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Impact of English Learning in Adulthood --- p.224 / Chapter 5.3.4.1 --- Better Job Opportunities --- p.224 / Chapter 5.3.4.2 --- Increased Self-confidence --- p.224 / Chapter 5.3.4.3 --- Better Self-perception --- p.226 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary --- p.227 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS --- p.231 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.231 / Chapter 6.2 --- Guiding Question One --- p.231 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Difficulties faced at home --- p.231 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Difficulties faced in school --- p.234 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Difficulties faced in community --- p.239 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Impact on adult language learning experiences --- p.240 / Chapter 6.3 --- Guiding Question Two --- p.243 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Motivation to return to the English classroom in adulthood --- p.244 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Investment in English learning --- p.245 / Chapter 6.4 --- Guiding Question Three --- p.251 / Chapter 6.4.1 --- Better Job Opportunities --- p.252 / Chapter 6.4.2 --- Increase in Self-confidence and Confidence in Using English --- p.253 / Chapter 6.4.3 --- Better Self-perception --- p.255 / Chapter 6.4.4 --- Psychological Well-being --- p.258 / Chapter 6.5 --- Implications --- p.261 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- For Adult EFL Learners --- p.261 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- For Instructors of Adult EFL Learners --- p.264 / Chapter 6.5.2.1 --- The Potential Personal Qualities of a Good Instructor for Adult EFL Learners --- p.265 / Chapter 6.5.2.2 --- Adult EFL Learners' Needs and Appropriate Teaching --- p.268 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- For Formal School English Teachers --- p.274 / Chapter 6.6 --- Limitations of the Present Study --- p.275 / Chapter 6.7 --- Suggestions for Future Study --- p.276 / REFERENCES --- p.278 / Appendix A Questionnaire - Before Taking Any Adult English Language Course (English Version) --- p.286 / Appendix B Questionnaire 一 Before Taking Any Adult English Language Course (Chinese Version) --- p.290 / Appendix C Questionnaire - At The Present Stage (English Version) --- p.293 / Appendix D Questionnaire - At The Present Stage (Chinese Version) --- p.302 / Appendix E Interview Protocols - Childhood and Formal Schooling --- p.309 / Appendix F Interview Protocols - In Working Life and Adulthood --- p.316 / Appendix G Consent Form (English Version) --- p.323 / Appendix H Consent Form (Chinese Version) --- p.325

The purpose of this project was to develop aids and strategies for identifying and assisting adult students with learning disabilities. Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV 1994). The project addresses specific descriptions for identifying traits, behaviors, and characteristics in the recognition of: dyslexia; color blindness, tic disorders, Tourette's syndrome, scotopic sensitivity syndrome, behavior disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), aphasic disorders, and autistic disorders.