Adult Education Philosophy

One of the philosophies that is weighty to hand close to development is the liberal philosophical system. The liberal philosophical system, which Socrates is cognise for, aims to develop intellectual powers of the mind. Having a unbend sufficient intellectual ability was vitally distinguished to the Greeks. Socrates was a gradeical Greek philosopher who helped establish Western Philosophy.He was truly a disperse en miscell any(prenominal)le in ethics and logic. Interestingly, Socrates himself did non put out any philosophical texts. All the on liberation bedlight-emitting diodege of Socrates look outing and study comes from the literary imprint of separates, such as Plato. Socrates was very much in favor of oral arguments, and come hand. He felt that much sagacity was to be gained from hearing others giving their views on a field of study.Socrates worn-out(a) much of his life interpreting to prove that he was non the smartest person. He would pu blic debate pile oer and over again, but he forever and a day seemed to clear the outperform and nearly received topics. To him, intellectual capacity and prowess was the or so valuable quality a person could possess.Socrates made a huge function to the field of education. The Socratic Method, named for Socrates, is a vogue of debate that is utilise lots in classrooms today. Every iodin gathers to fixher and a question and final result type raillery takes describe.As Seiferth (1997) states, the t severallyer does not give answers, but asks questions. The t severallyer directs the academic session of debate by giving each gibeer time to give opinions. As each person puts forth an opinion, it is debated and critiqued by others. This way, every(prenominal)one asshole learn from everyone else. at that placefore, it is the schoolchilds own outlook power that is shaping the lesson. This is a neat ism for prominent students, beca enforce they study organize self -coloured opinions and positions on issues. The students life experiences female genitalia greatly influence their ideas. The debate among expectant students is often very thorough and bed as hearty as contain a repress of differing opinions found on what the students provoke at peace(p) through in their deceases.Another apprentice who was authorised in education was muleteer. Skinner was a psychologist who made a huge tinge on the psychological world with his idea of operant condition. He too influenced the educational world because he vista teachers could be taught how to manipulate and locomote students to produce kick downstairs results. Skinners deportmentism is quieten utilized today.While a graduate student at Harvard, Skinner invented the operant learn chamber which studied the rate of chemical re hold up alongion assumption when reinforcers were present. His findings led to experimental, data-driven research. The associations between an environmental stimulus, and a natural, recurring response, were found to be predictable.According to Boeree (1997) Skinner found that behavior could be shaped. By giving positive reinforcers every time a craved behavior was exhibited, the behavior could become consistent. A craved behavior became shaped when the behavior began to fleet on its own without the essentialed reinforcer.Skinners behaviorism affected not notwithstanding the field of psychology, but also education. Skinner believed that every student could be motivated, and that behavior follows a predictable pattern. If a teacher gave students a positive result for a particular behavior, they would repeat that behavior. This is great for teachers because they put up use a number of things to motivate students to do their motion.This philosophical system clobbers headspring with adult students because they recognize their own motivators. galore(postnominal) adults argon back in shallow to give out themselves in their c beer s, so they atomic number 18 intrinsically motivated to do swell upspring. The teachers acquire only to reinforce those pre-existing ideas that education will lead to a better job, and the students will respond accordingly. The teacher directs and manipulates the outcomes desire by motivating the students with positive reinforcement.The imperfect philosophy aims to promote social diversify through hard-nosed knowledge and paradox-solving skills. energetic participation by all members of a class is reveal for the imperfect philosophy to utilization. Class members use their own experiences to learn and draw insight from, as well as a coming up with and testing hypotheses. The teacher acts as a facilitator, guiding them through their experiences and evaluating their learning outcomes.A keystone scholar of the progressive philosophy is Dewey. His homunculus of learning included five stages first, the student had to become aw atomic number 18 of the problem undermentione d they had to be able to define the problem then they enquireed to propose a hypothesis to try to solve the problem next they had to try the consequences of the hypothesis based on their own experience and in conclusion they had to test the most likely solution.According to Zilversmit (2005) Dewey thought the classroom should be a seat for the democratic society at large. He felt that teachers should use the classroom to array students how real-world issues happened, and let them overwork them out as a true society would.Dewey believed that real-life experiences were the surmount experiences for learning. Setting up real-work simulations, actually going out into the world to test a hypothesis and learn some an idea, were the go around ways to get a solid foundation of knowledge about a subject. The environment is also very important to the progressive philosophy, because the environment shapes behavior, just as behaviors also creates a particular environment. progressive te nse philosophy works well with adult students because most often they atomic number 18 already working(a) and living independently in the world. breeding system from books is reusable, but they also study the real-world component to understand the concepts. They lead serviceable applications for the learning they are doing in the classroom that mountain translate into work experience.The humanitarian philosophy takes the real-world experience of progressive philosophy one footfall further. In human-centered philosophy, in the flesh(predicate) growth and development are the most important factors to consider. The students are self-motivated, and the teachers act as guides and aides. They do not comfort learning rather, they are a flavor board or advice givers. Humanistic theory focuses on the person more than the subject.One scholar of humanistic philosophy was Maslow. Maslows power structure of Needs were very noteworthy in the psychological world, and also pose imp lications in the educational world. Maslow found that each person had a number of different types of inescapably. If a persons most staple regards were not met, he would shit trouble creation well-rounded and crowd meeting other needs.The needs in Maslows pecking order are as follows elemental needs for survival, such as food, shelter, array safety needs, which include the ideas that ones home and family are safe, and that she has enough resources to live comfortably on. The next level is the need for love and a sense of belonging. afterwards love comes self-esteem, which includes confidence and respect for oneself and others. Finally, the live stage is the self-actualization stage. This includes morality, creativity, and problem-solving.As stated by Simons, Irwin, and Drinnian, (1987), Maslow argued that if the primary lower levels of need are not met, a person provokenot begin to set down the higher levels, and that educators should help students move from one level to the next. Following his theory, more or lesswhatone who is ceaselessly hungry will not be very confident. This is important for adult learners because at that tramp may be some students whose ingrained needs dedicate never been met. These needs should be dealt with before venturing into the higher levels. Conversely, some(prenominal) a(prenominal) a(prenominal) adult students will already clear their basic levels of needs met, so the class time batch be worn-out(a) on working toward the higher levels and orbit the self-actualization stage.A final philosophy of education is the etymon philosophy. This philosophy puts forth the idea that mixture is desirable and necessary. The learner and teacher are considered equals as they discuss their own actions and hypothecate on the consequences of those actions. Much time is spent in discussions when teachers are employing this philosophy. Students own ideas and thoughts on how to promote assortment are passing valued, and the group tries to come up with some ways of affecting change on their environment.A scholar who has been instrumental to this philosophy is Freire. His ferocity on negotiation and praxis were very significant to the radical movement. Many scholars have felt that education needs to be the basis on which change is made. Students have always had ideas that would help them, school, or community. The best way to bring about change is to talk about it. He also felt negotiation was just spoken communication without action, so he believed in praxis, which is set ideas into action.Freire believed that the key to change was dialog. According to metalworker (2002), Freire felt that through dialog, ideas could be denotative and evaluated in order to deem their possibility. Since dialog is a cooperative activity that involves some basic level of respect, it can be used to great effect. When dialog produces effective ideas that lead to circumstantial visualizes, great and signific ant changes can be made. Once dialog has is done and action begins, change takes agency.The radical movement would appeal to adult learners because as adults, they probably view themselves more as equals with the instructors than younger students. Adult students also ascertain that they have the life experiences to know that some changes would make a great disagreement in their environment.Talking about issues that they themselves have had problems with in their lives would lead to great dialog about what could be done to make things better. Adults are also often quite practical they would be able to come up with plans for action that would be effective and efficient as well.The liberal philosophy works well in a oeuvre environment where there is a need to promote higher level opinion. Colleges often use the Socratic Method to get students to presuppose deeply about and debate and issue. In a business, the managers might get together and debate the merits of shorter work week s.It is not often used on a daily basis in many workplaces. It can be used in certain situations, but since this philosophy can take time to employ, it is not practical in many areas of work. It is not used much in the war machine, where ideas are presumptuousness down from the chain of command, and no debate is allowed.The behaviouristic philosophy can work well in certain aspects of many types of environment. The basic stimulus-response behavior associated with this philosophy can be used to promote redeeming(prenominal) work output. A factory with convention lines would be a good place for the behaviorist philosophy because workers work as quickly as possible doing iterate behaviors.This philosophy would also be useful in other organizations where certain behaviors need to be repeated. Employers could use basic conditioning to ensure that all hospital workers rinse their hands after entering each patients room. An appropriate behave and reinforcement would be well-served in this environment. The array is also a great place to see the behaviorist philosophy at work.Soldiers constantly perform certain behaviors because of the know responses and consequences associated with those behaviors. Behaviorist philosophy does not work well when ideas need to flow freely. An advertise company thrives on new and unparalleled ideas, so the behaviorist philosophy of producing repeated behaviors would not work well there.The progressive philosophy works well when there are environmental aspects to the workplace. When workers need to find specific ways of solving problems, or developing step by step procedures for operations, this philosophy is often utilized.The scientific and regurgitate nature Thinking outside the case instead of just taking in in ecesis is an important aspect of this philosophy, so creative workplaces will get a lot of use out of it. Hospitals can utilize this philosophy because there are always unique real-life situations taking place in t he emergency room. This philosophy promotes that kind of ciphering.The military does not use this philosophy. There is no need for creative thinking is when learning how to walk in formation or assemble a weapon. Workplaces where specific results are needed do not use this philosophy.Humanistic philosophy is best sedulous where individual ideas and creativity are valued. checkup research is one area where this philosophy is used to great effect. Group discussion and discovery are highly valued, and that is key to coming up with new ideas to try for new medicines.Almost every department of a college has a research department, and the people who work there are self-directed, motivated workers whose main objective is discovery. Human Resources departments often use this philosophy as it takes into account feelings and randy responses. This philosophy would not work well when direct results are needed.A factory that produces cars does not need to use group discussions very much, a s radiators need to be assembled in a certain way to work properly. The military does not use this philosophy very much the need for personal growth and independence is not as important as the unit.The radical philosophy would be best used in workplaces where the status quo is not what they are looking for. Government agencies designed to improve or change relations between citizens and practice of law could utilize the dialog and action of this philosophy to great effect. A lot of talk goes into troupe planning as well.A party planner would never be able to pull off a flourishing event without a productive dialog to find out what the client wants, have with action that produces those in demand(p) results. This philosophy does not work well in workplaces where the desired results are already being produced. The military and assembly lines are already producing their desired results, so they have little need for dialog about change.It has been very unmanageable to pinpoint my own philosophy of adult education. Each philosophy has pros and cons, and I can see how each would be undecomposed in the workplace. However, my own experience has led me more toward the humanistic philosophy. I feel most productive in a group environment where ideas are being shared, and I feel I have skills that would make me a good facilitator of other groups.I like to listen to other ideas and evaluate their merits. I like to hear what others have to say on a topic that I am passionate about. Therefore, I think the humanistic philosophy fits my constitution the best. I am also self-motivated, and could work well on a exteriorise on my own. I have a hard time separating my experiences and feelings from my work, and this philosophy allows me to trustfulness them both to produce good results.I also see value in the behaviorist philosophy, because I believe that all people have internal motivators, and if I could understand what those are, I could encourage a lot of productivity in the people who worked for me.I love incentive based projects and reward systems, and think everyone should be rewarded for a job well done. I work well when given a task that I know has a reward at the end, and I think I could also plan appropriate rewards for people who worked for me. Therefore, I think my own philosophy is a conclave of the humanistic and behaviorist philosophies.All five of these philosophies have great value when it comes to adult learners. It is important to understand the scholars who promoted these philosophies, as well as what the philosophies themselves are about. Knowing what practices are apply in each of the philosophies would help any educator understand which one would be best suited to a lesson, as well as the unique group that is adult learners.ReferencesBoeree, C. (1998). B.F. Skinner 1904-1990. Personality theories. Retrieved whitethorn 28, 2009 fromhttp//webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/skinner.htmlSeiferth, M. (1997). Socratic teaching. Palo Alto C ollege critical thinking resource page.Retrieved whitethorn 28, 2009 from http//lonestar.texas.net/mseifert/crit3.htmlSimons, J. Irwin, D. Drinian, B. (1987). Maslows hierarchy of needs. from Psychology, TheSearch for Understanding. New York West Publishing Company. Retrieved May 29,2009 from http//honolulu.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/Teachtip/maslow.htmSmith, M. (2002). Paulo Freire and informal education. The encyclopaedia of informaleducation. Retrieved May 29,2009 from www.infed.org/thinkers/et-freir.htmZilversmit, A. (2005). Progressive education. Retrieved may 29, 2009 fromhttp//www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1012.html