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CLASS 3:
Philosophical Foundations of Adult Education 

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Objectives:

At the end of this lesson you should be able to:

Determine your underlying beliefs about adult education.

Develop a working philosophy of adult education by
studying the philosophical tenets of:

      • Liberalism (Classical or Traditional)
      • Behaviorism
      • Progressivism
      • Humanism
      • Radicalism (Reconstructionism)

In this lesson, we will explore some of the
philosophical foundations that contribute to adult education.

tree in field philosopher clipart word education highlighted

 
 
Instructional Activities:
small red globe Start off by seeing how much you know about the philosophical foundations of adult education with this pretest. 
The answers are available in the Class 3 folder on Vista.
small red globe Complete the Philosophy of Adult Education Inventory (PAEI) by L. M. Zinn, prior to studying the following articles/links.
Use the PAEI Score Sheet to determine your preferred adult education philosophy.
small red globe An adapted version of the PAEI inverntory is also availble online (you will have to register but it is free).
small red globe Examine the background information for Zinn's PAEI in Identifying Your Philosophical Orientation
found in Adult Learning Methods by Galbraith.
small red globe Review Appendix A: A Philosophy for Adult Education (Word file, Web file) in Effective Adult Learning by Birkenholz.
small red globe Study Spurgeon and Moore's-
The Educational Philosophies of Training and Development Professors, Leaders, and Practitioners.
small red globe Read Beder's Purposes and Philosophies of Adult Education (pp. 37-50) in the
Handbook of Adult and Continuing Education by Merriam & Cunningham.
small red globe Compare the five major philosophies of adult education at Philosophies of Adult Education.
small red globe Read what White and Brockett have to say about the importance of developing a working philosophy
of adult education in the Journal of Extension.
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Examine the philosophies of adult educators in agricultural and extension education in the following journal articles
(and compare with your own philosophy):
small red globe View the PowerPoint Presentation on philosophy slides for AEE 523.
Download the presentation as a  philosophy ppt file.
Assignments: Discussion:

Upon completion of the PAEI, answer the questions found in Worksheet 3 (Word file, Web file). Include the worksheet in your course notes (this will be helpful for the discussion board, reflection journal, and final exam)

Your initial/preliminary Philosophy of Adult Education paper is due at the end of this class (Feb.1).  Review the description of this assignment in the course syllabus.  Upload your completed paper into WebCT Vista (under Assignments).

Review these selected philosophy statements (sample #1, sample #2, ) from previous students.

After you finish this lesson, go to the
course discussion board and respond to the question posted--
(and at least one peer's response).

Include your raw scale scores:
(L = ___, B = ___, P = ___, H = ___, R = ___) in your Class 3 Discussion posting.
 
Additional Resources:
Items in this section are supplemental; you won't be tested on them.  Included may be other points of interest or different approaches related to the topic.
-- Read what Cafferella states about Identifying Personal Beliefs Related to Program Planning (pp. 29-32)
in Planning Programs for Adult Learners (1994).
--Are you familiar with this Journal of Philosophy of Education?  All issues (including current) are online and searchable.  It is a scholarly, journal from Great Britain and is a good source of interesting information.
 


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