Cross' Adult Learning Theory
According to Hiemstra (2006) although Cross is not trained nor making a career out of adult education, she has made an impact to the field with her publications. She was involved in publications that provide support to develop adult non-traditional study opportunities in the US.
Hiemstra (2006) also states that Cross' most important publication was her 1981 'Adults as Learners.' He (Hiemstra, 2006) states that she discussed issues dealing with barriers to adult learning, studies of participation, and developmental stages. She introduced two frameworks to describe adult learning.
Cross' Model for Adult Learning
According to Hiemstra (2006), Cross developed two conceptual framework for adult learning:
Chain-of-Response (COR) model: According to Hiemstra (2006) this model pertains to adults participation in learning. She discusses the idea of motivating participants (positive and negative), their personality types (self-esteem), self-actualization of participants, and expectations of reward are all important for motivation (Hiemstra, 2006).
Characteristics of Adult Learners (CAL) model: Hiemstra (2006) states that the purpose of this model was to describe some differences between adults and children so that alternative teaching strategies could be developed.
a. Personal characteristics: include Physiological/Aging, Sociocultural/Life Phases, and Psychological/Developmental Stages.
b. Situational Characteristics: include Part-Time Learning Versus Full-Time Learning and Voluntary Learning Versus Compulsory Learning.
Cross' Achievements
Cross is a Professor of Higher education, Emerita at the University of California at Berkeley (Hiemstra, 2006). She has worked as the University administrator as an Assistant Dean of Women at University of Illinois and also as the Dean of Students at Cornell University (Hiemstra, 2006). She served as distinguished research scientist at the Educational Testing Service and chair of the department of administration, planning,and social policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (Hiemstra, 2006). She was elected Chair of the Board of the American Association of Higher Education twice (Hiemstra, 2006).
Cross' Publication
According to Hiemstra (2006) Cross is an author of ten books and more than 200 articles and chapters. Some of her well known works are as followes:
Cross, K. P. (1971). Beyond the Open Door: New Students to Higher Education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Cross, K. P. (1976). Accent on Learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Cross, K. P. (1981). Adults as Learners: Increasing Participation and Facilitating Learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Cross, K. P., et. al. (1974). Planning Non-Traditional Programs. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
