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Non-traditional higher education: An “outsider's” view

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Abstract

A rank-and-file professor's attendance at a non-traditional higher education conference led to some salient observations: (1) Contrary to the “odd-ball” image they may have on some campuses, non-traditional programs can trace their lineage back to the very origins of Western universities; (2) At the same time, they represent a break with recent American University history, in that they appear to serve adult needs more than adolescent/young adult needs; (3) They are able to recognize true learning as occurring outside the parochial boundaries of grades, semester hours, etc; (4) They not only can individualize education, but they can make it an active (rather than passive) process; (5) These programs apparently strive to teach judgement and understanding,not just information; and (6) Such programs may be a functional arm of the so-called women's movement.

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Moretz, W.J. Non-traditional higher education: An “outsider's” view. Innov High Educ 9, 111–120 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00889728

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