Title: Beyond Andragogy: New Directions in Adult Learning Theory
Abstract: While andragogy is here to stay, we have moved beyond centering it at the heart of adult learning theory. Five other ways to understand adult learning will be presented in this symposium: transformative learning, spirituality and adult learning, embodied knowing, the neuroscience of adult learning and narrative learning. Adult learning is at the heart of all adult education practice. From literacy to continuing professional education, from the workplace to an art museum, from a college course to a yoga class, enabling the learning of adults is what holds an otherwise very diverse field together. For decades, Malcolm Knowles’s andragogy was how our field differentiated itself from childhood education and indeed, for many practitioners was the “window” into understanding adults as learners. Andragogy became a template for designing instruction for adult learners. It is still many newcomers first introduction to our field. While andragogy is here to stay, the purpose of this symposium is to present what is really new thinking in adult learning. We have moved beyond centering andragogy at the heart of our adult learning theory. Expanding our understanding of adult learning offers the potential for engaging more adults in learning, the common denominator across the many dimensions of adult education practice. Five perspectives on adult learning will be presented in this symposium. First is a glimpse into some of the new thinking around transformational learning. While not a new topic, emerging are a number of alternative conceptions of transformative learning beyond Mezirow and Freire’s seminal work such as neurobiological, cultural-spiritual, race-centric and planetary views. The second presentation will be on spirituality and adult learning. The popular press has brought spirituality forward especially as it manifests in the workplace and higher education. How spirituality is being conceptualized as a component of adult learning will be explored in this second presentation. Because of the West’s focus on cognitive processing, the body as a site of learning and knowing has until recently been ignored. The growing research base on embodied or somatic knowing is the topic of the third presentation. Embodied learning is an alternate way of knowing that reconnects the mind and body. This connection between the mind and body is actually being reinforced by the latest developments in the neuroscience of learning. The fourth presenter will explain how learning, embodied experience, and reflection interact in making meaningful connections in the brain; in fact, imaging techniques have revealed how learning changes the brain itself. The fifth topic is on narrative learning. Human beings have always told stories to make sense of the world and to convey “truths” of the culture. What is new, is understanding how stories are a form of meaning-making. We learn through stories and creating a narrative to make sense of our experience is itself learning.
Publication Year: 2009
Publication Date: 2009-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 9
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