The humanistic philosophy of adult education essay

The humanistic beliefs of education grows from the work of Carl Ransom Rogers. Rogers’ book Liberty to Learn draws on his encounter and research in psychotherapy in order to connect effective teaching strategies (Patterson, 1977). Through this book, Rogers argues that “the only man that is educated is a man that has learned how you can learn (cited in Patterson, p. 17). The goal of education, then, should be not only perceptive education but also the growth and development of the entire person, with give attention to fostering creativeness and self-directed learning (Patterson, 1977).

In order to concentrate on the aim, Rogers recommended experiential learning, where the student learns by everyday life (Patterson, 1977). While others before him had observed the value of this sort of education, Rogers was the 1st to seek the implementation (Patterson, 1977). This type of learning, with its focus on the complete person, is humanistic, because humanists believe that “it is important to study anybody as a whole (Huitt, 2001).

Gage and Berliner (1991) defined the five vital goals of humanistic education: to promote self-direction and freedom, to develop to be able to take responsibility for what is definitely learned, to develop creativity, to encourage interest, and to enhance an interest in the arts.

Insofar as adult education is concerned, a number of components that Gage and Berliner (1991) identify to be essential to these types of five basic goals of humanistic education are particularly relevant. First, the authors contend that learners learn best in a non-threatening environment (Gage and Berliner, 1991).

For all adults seeking possibly to full their high school degrees or return to college in an environment surrounded by students much more youthful than themselves, it seems logical that a non-threatening environment would help them obtain more achievement. Second, the authors assert that college students will learn finest what they want and need to learn (Gage and Berliner, 1991). Idea also generally seems to particularly fit the requirements of adult students, many of whom have been in the work-force and are aware about what abilities and expertise are necessary because of their own a better job.

References Gauge, N., & Berliner, M. (1991). Educational psychology (5th ed. ). Boston: Houghton, Mifflin. Huitt, W. (2001). Humanism and Open Education. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University or college. Retrieved 06 1, 2009 from http://chiron. valdosta. edu/whuitt/col/affsys/humed. html. Patterson, C. They would. (1977). Fundamentals for a Theory of Instructional and Educational Mindset. New York: Harper & Row. Retrieved on June you, 2009 by http://www. sageofasheville. com/pub_downloads/CARL_ROGERS_AND_HUMANISTIC_EDUCATION. pdf format.

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