Consumer Education Programming in Continuing Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The development of consumer education for adults and the literature concerning it are assessed in this report. A brief background and several definitions of consumer education begin the review. Studies relating to target audiences are broken down according to subject matter orientation, age, income, sex, profession, and special needs. The section on delivery systems reviews studies of sources of consumer education programs and ways of reaching those who need such programs. Resource materials, bibliographies and guides, are evaluated with suggestions for their best use. Existing research on consumer education for adults is reviewed. Potential research areas concerning roles, life style, and societal realities are presented; and evaluations of existing consumer education programs are reviewed. A summary and conclusions, including a schema for consumer education planning, are presented. An annotated bibliography of 66 items is included. (KM)