Philosophy(?) of Adult Education - Draft

My Philosophy of Adult Education

WOW?! I thought only scholars had a philosophy. So, due to my feelings of having so much room to grow, I will call mine...Jim's thoughts on Adult Education.

Vision of the world? I am not sure that I can say that I have a vision of the world. I can say that I have a thought on the people of the world. This may be very simplistic in thought, but it is a start. For the most part, I think we have two types of people, in the world. One's who's focus is; “How can I help others?” and those who's is; “How can I help myself?'

Let me expound. The first group is the type of person who wants to make a better world for those around them and the second group is one's that want to make a better world for themselves. Group one are those people that are focused on those around them, whether that is immediate family and friends, or the world in which they are engaged. The second group are those who want to only educate themselves, sort of those who are only focused on 'What's in it for me'. Example, the person who robs stores to only get the item or money to better their lifestyle. I think that we all have both of these parts in us. Some of us have a higher degree of group one than group two and others have more of group two, than one.

I would like to focus more on Group One. These are the people that are looking out for the people or environment, in which the interact. This could be the person who wants to improve the environment, by learning to recycle or use recyclables. This could be the person who wants to learn more to help support their family. In my opinion, the adult educator assumes the role in group one. Helping those help themselves and in the long run, helping others.

During our readings, I am glad that I was able to read about the Highlander Research and Education center, as I feel that my thoughts on adult education mirror there's. In that my goal is to help others, where it is needed most: in the community where they live and breath. In order to do that, I think that we need to look beyond the class room setting. That setting can be a formal classroom or not. Much of our conversations have talked about the interaction between the learner and educator/instructor. I want to intermingle the interaction of adult education with the hands on of adult education. In the corporate world, we are so aware and driven around the 40 hour work week, many do not see the countless hours of time spent beyond the 40 hours face to face hours.

In the corporate world, these 40 hours are usually spent in direct contact, with the learner. In my opinion, what really shows or displays our philosophy, is the hours that we spend beyond the 40 hours and how we spend those hours. How do we spend our time, preparing for the learners. Do we just make sure we know the material, that we are teaching? Do we spend time looking up alternative solutions to the material? Do we look up alternative ways of delivering the material? Do we look up ways to give the information, to fit the learner's learning style? Do we invest our time in ways that help to understand a deeper meaning of the material? Do we spend time looking up information, that will help us understand our learner? Do we find resources that will help the learner overcome obstacles, even if that obstacle is outside of work? The questions could go on forever!

My belief of a learner is that the learner is not a learner, unless they are an active participant. My belief of what knowledge is when someone takes information and can process it, in an applicable way. Prior to being knowledge, it is only material.
My goal is to take material present it in away that helps a person take that material, formulate knowledge about it and turn that into a successful measurable goal, in the standards that the company measures to be success. But to achieve that, I believe that I need to have a direct impact to the learner, in what really matters to them and that could be in the material, or that could be relationships at work or outside of work. Doing all of this in as much as possible, a non-biased manner.

Developing and Defining my Philosophy on Adult Ed ô¿ô

Adult Education? Hmmm? Can education be present without learning? By itself, is it Education or just rambling? Adult Education to me is a verb, that is a communication between two consenting entities. This interaction is one based upon a Adult education is the transfer of knowledge to enhance the life and well being of the learner and those they come in contact. Learning can occur in a variety of settings, from a formal classroom to a informal setting, such as a restaurant.

I am not sure of the decision to elevate or the need to classify it as professional occupation, at this time. I think it is important to have the learner(s) trust your ability and knowledge on the subject. One way of doing this, is by insight to the instructors comfort level with the topic and formal education. In that regards, providing degrees and credentials. Can their be credentials (ASTD, NAEP, etc.)without professionalism?

Journal Entry

Years ago, a pursued a career in Nursing. I worked a variety of nursing settings from pediatrics to Critical care. I settled into Critical care. During this time, I would help instruct the staff on upcoming advancements and trainings. After 15 years in the medical field, I felt like it was time to take a break. I was going to take a break for about 6 months. I did not know what to do. I settled in on American Express, expecting it to be just a short stay. Shortly into my new job, I found out more about the corporate world and was impressed. I soon found my way into a coaching environment.

During this time, I also was involved in marriage enrichment & step family classes, at church. Up to this point, I realized that I truly enjoy helping people, but never really looked at training, as a career. I know that I wanted to help people find purpose and clarity. As I developed at American Express, I realized that I can make an impact in the lives of others, not only in developing their hands on functioning, but also in career advancement in terms of letting them see a bigger picture in the corporate environment and applying accountability principles in their everyday life, both career and personal.

Is this something that you do?
How is your interactions with your students the same and how does it differ?
If this is part of your goal, how do you bridge into their homelife?

Interpretation of Recent Readings

In one of the readings, Mao Tse Tung likened education to society, by saying,, “Fish don't know they are in water.” When humans become aware of their interactions in their environment and subsequent development without becoming complacent in it, is where learning begins.

Our role as educators is to provide environments and awareness of environmental interaction that will facilitate people to examine their interactions with their environment. This education has to be voluntary and self purpose driven. For example, as a child we are not complacent with the feeling of hunger or discomfort. When we become re aware of our interaction with the environment, we adjust our behavior to get the parent figure to relieve our discomfort. Education is realized when a person becomes aware of their ability to change or adapt their environment. Those showing that knowledge is a community act and that learning does not exist without others interactions. Our facilitation of education needs to present the awareness of a learner's ability to change their interactions with the environment, resulting in a positive outcome for them. Kinda of 'What's in it for me' (WIIFM)

This approach is not just situations and not just subjects. This education is subjects in a situation. Education needs to be show that those who do not stand for something, will be swayed by anything. Once this education is shown how it can make a difference in the lives of the learner, then the education turns into a learning.

Reply to Jim's Obituary

Jim’s Obituary-

I was saddened to hear of the passing of such a career educator. Jim will be missed by all of us, that he came in contact with.

Your heritage of education was evident in your contributions that you listed. I liked the touch of you teaching “children and grandchildren of former students.” I see this as evidence that your style of education is one that is received well and understood by students of all ages.

You touched on your ability as being a storyteller. It’s those stories that can resonate with learners. A good story, used properly, can reinforce the materials being covered in class. It gives the learners an opportunity to relate those class lessons with a real life experience. It is when you are able to accomplish this, that true learning occurs.

I enjoyed the touch of romance with the monthly anniversaries. Although we have spoken many times about your son, David, I was surprised to hear of your daughter, Ellen.

I see that you look for your learners to be well rounded individuals, capitalizing on the entire learning experience, not just the “corporate” side of things. You mentioned, in closing, “I want my students to be aware of their impact on society and the people they come in contact with and make sure that every step made has a positive intention.”

This is also expressed in your “Pay it Forward” approach to life. You speak of successful learners to be students of life. In their need to be well rounded in life yet be safe in knowing that there is nothing wrong in asking for assistance.

Articulating thoughts and values extended from Obituary

Another version of this was with our beloved Jim's obituary.

What I love most about the world is…

• I respect for the world, is for what people create out of it. Not so much the diversity, but the but what the diversity brings to it. Each person is created from a single use evolving template and what we do with that template is what makes the difference. We as individuals need to understand that how we relate to those around us is constantly refining and developing their and our templates. Due to this independence, we choose what to do with this input. The respect I have for the people of the world, is the positive they choose to do, out of sheer love and compassion, in the hopes of extending the philosophy of "Pay it Forward".

The world would be a better place if…

• People understood the template & 'Pay it Forward' philosophies, and the connection the two hold.

What I would like to maintain about the world through my work as an educator is…

• An understanding, that despite our own sided values & beliefs, that others may have the same or different beliefs, that they are just as much an individual as you are and deserve the same amount of respect as you do.

What I would like to change about the world through my work as an educator is…

• Having my students realize that I had an impact not only in their studies, but in their lives as well. I would want them to feel that I had a positive impact on their lives, a difference that they feel they became a better person, due to our interaction.

I want my students to be…

• I want them to feel that they have the ability to be efficient, engaged throughout life, and have the ability to be self sufficient at times and have the courage/freedom to ask for help, in others.
  

My Necrology

October 26, 2067

Jim Coan, at the young age of 101, died yesterday.

At the time of his death, Jim and his lovely wife, Jerree' were doing what they enjoyed most; spending time together, while on a hiatus, in the mountains.

As a free lance corporate trainer and public speaker, Mr Coan taught in a variety of commerces, from small town America to large corporations. What he was truly known for, was teaching life. "He was amazing," recalled Lynse Palin-Johnson, great granddaughter of beloved former President Sarah Palin; "You just learned. I could sit there and just absorb, all day. I do believe what he had was a God-given gift."

Mr. Coan, taught children and grandchildren of former students. He kept in touch with many students and instantly remembered those whom he ran into years later. All who addressed him as Mr. Coan, always got the jovial response; “Call me Jim. Mr. Coan is my father.”

Jim's contributions are more than just a formidable legacy of teaching and speaking. They also include substantial contributions to the world, as we know it. He was known in Capital Hill as 'The Ambassador'. He strove to build bridges between government regulators and the general public. When asked which party he was affiliated with, Jim always responded; “Every days a party, when you're around!”

He will be mourned by all. When asked of his friends, Jim, is remembered, by being a tremendous story teller, that you would completely loose track of time, as you hung on his every word. But when you were in a time of need, Jim would turn the table and hang on your every word. He way always available, when you needed him. He was a true friend.

Jim met the former Jerree' Wilburn, online and they were married Oct 16, 1999, and reared two children. He celebrated their anniversary every month of their marriage. "He counted our marriage by months," Jerree' said. "Today would have been 816 months. Quite often, he would surprise me with a gift or a trip someplace special."

Jim is survived by his immediate family, Wife Jerree', Son David Wilburn and Daughter Ellen Wilburn, as well as, everyone that he touched. Those that had contact with him, indicated that Jim treated and made you feel as you were part of his family.

Jim always claimed that he would never finish life regretting not having done something. He lived his motto:

"'Life is not a journey, to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in a pretty
and well preserved body,
but rather dance the entire way,
thoroughly used up,
totally worn out,
and loudly proclaiming,

"WOW! What an adventure!"

In parting, Jim has expressed that he would like to share the following...

The world would be a better place if people would recognize that despite differences of beliefs, values, opinions that each person is seen by themselves as an intricate value and what you say and do, has a direct effect of who others turn out to be in life.

Jim would like to change the world in regards to that people work with an open mind; Realizing that what they know is only one side of the story.

I want my students to be aware of their impact on society and the people they come in contact with and make sure that every step made has a positive intention.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given, in memory of 'Ambassador Jim', to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.