Presented by : Jason Wilson Instructor : Dr. Debbie Beebe Course : EDUC 8101

1. THE PRESENCE OF ANDRAGOGY IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES: THE CONNECTION TO HUMANISM Presented by: Jason Wilson Instructor: Dr. Debbie Beebe Course: EDUC 8101

2. Overview • The Influence of Humanism • Maslow’s Disciples • Knowles Andragogy • The Application of Andragogy in Community Colleges • Conclusion

3. The Influence of Humanism • Maslow’s humanism is grounded fundamentally in his hierarchy of needs model. This model demonstrates a person’s upward path toward self-actualization

4. Maslow’s Disciples Rogers’ Student-Centered Learning Theory Heavily influenced by humanism, Rogers along with others believed the path to self-actualization could be attained through allowing the student to dictate the course of learning taking place (Brookfield 1986).

5. Maslow’s Disciples Cont’d Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory Rooted in humanistic tenets as well, transformative learning theory highlights the learning actually taking place as a person’s life experiences foster new perspectives and insight (Merriam, Carrefella, Baumgautner, 2007).

6. Knowles Andragogy Malcolm Knowles philosophy of adult learning originated from humanistic developmental psychology which often described human development in varied stages (Knowles, Holton, Swanson, 2005). Knowles originally developed four assumptions for adult learning but later expand the four to six Macolm Knowles, The six assumptions of andragogy, criticismshttp://youtu.be/vLoPiHUZbEwclip provided by creative commons cc

7. Six Assumptions of Andragogy Knowles 1st four assumptions • Need to know • Self concept • Experience • Readiness to learn Knowles last two assumptions • Orientation to learning • Motivation to learn

8. Six Assumptions Cont’d Need to know Adults learn more effectively when the reason for learning is understood Self concept Learning for an adult is self directed and self-managed. Experience Past life experiences give an adult guidance on learning new concepts

9. Six Assumptions Cont’d Readiness to learn Adults learners must reach a place of clarity concerning the ramifications of learning Orientation to learning Adult learners are more engage to learn through problem solving than memorization Motivation Adult learners are internally motivated to learn

10. Andragogy Criticisms • More about how to teach adults than how adults learn • Not enough empirical evidence • Can all adults learn based on these six assumptions • Societal impact on adult learning • Adults need proven credibility established before authentic learning can take place

11. Andragogy Application Activity for College Orientation Class Question: Can you determine if any of the six assumptions for andragogy reflect your approach to learning? Use your handout and the slides from this presentation for assistance. If you decide that multiple assumptions describe your learning, please rank in order from most to least accurate. If none of them reflect you…please state your approach

12. Andragogy Application Cont’d Divide into groups based on your determination of which assumption best reflects your approach. Those who don’t reflect assumptions will be in one group • Need to know • Self concept • Experience • Readiness to learn • Orientation to learning • Motivation to learn

13. Andragogy Application Cont’d In your groups discuss your rationale for choosing your assumption. Pay attention to if your rationale sounds similar to other group members. As a group decide on the best example of the assumption and share this with the entire class The group choosing no assumption will share two or their best examples of why they don’t reflect any assumption

14. Final Groupings

15. Conclusion The impact of Maslow’s humanism on defining learning theory and human behavior cannot be understated. Maslow, Rogers, and Mezirowattempted to explain adult learning through humanistic perspectives Knowles andragogy theory derived from a humanistic orientated perspective proposed six assumptions determined adult learning Critics argued Knowles theory was more philosophy than theory.

16. Conclusion Cont’d Community college students were asked to groups themselves based on andragogy assumptions Fifteen community college students aligned themselves with at least four of Knowles six assumptions. Of the fifteen, the assumption that received the most identification was experience, which received six students.

17. References Brookfield, S. (1986). Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning. San Francisco, CA; Jossey-Bass Finlay, J.”Andragogy (Adult Learning)” 17 May 2010. Online video clip. Youtube. Accessed on 20 November 2010. http://youtu.be/vLoPiHUZbEw Knowles, M., Holton, E.F., Swanson, R. (2005). The Adult Learner (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Elsevier Inc Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., & Baumgartner (2007). Learning in Adulthood (3rded). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.