SPRING 2013

Project Summary EDAC 631

Leading Adult Educators

Margaret Sanger1879-1966

In a time when birth control was relatively absent, Sanger spoke out for women.

She attended nursing school and it was there she realized the need for men and women to be educated.

She advocated for women’s health and birth control.

She founded Planned Parenthood She wrote many books and articles on birth

control, sex, VD, and abortion. Her actions helped to fuel the feminist

movement and she is still a prominent figure in feminism and in women’s healthcare programs.

She not only spoke out, she persevered and was innovation in the area of social reform.

Sharan B. Merriam1942-present

Has an Ed.D. in Adult and Continuing Education.

She has written, co-written, and is used as a reference for many articles in the Adult Education field.

She has received many awards for her research and her contributions.

Dr. Merriam serves as a touchstone for many adult educators and their associated programs.

Her research and the incorporation of theories she has developed has helped to improve countless programs in quality and quantity.

GOODWILL INDUSTRIESMAINE COLLEGE TRANSITION

PROGRAM

Unique Adult Education Programs

Goodwill Industries

Goodwill has locations

thousands of cities across

the world that help

millions of people.

Goodwill’s purpose is to provide educational service and trainings skills to adult with physical, social, and economic barriers.

“A hand up is not a hand out!”

Goodwill’s’ pupils are all

ages and come from all walks of

life: displaced workers, under-

employed, convicted felons, have a disability,

etc.

Adult education can occur in all individuals regardless of race, creed, gender, age, or ability. Every person has some form of ability and what one does with their ability determines their success in life.

Maine College Transition Initiative

Over 1,300 students receive education through this program every year. Students further their careers and find meaningful employment outside of the factory industry.

The purpose of this program is to help adult students across Maine make the transition from community college to a four-year university.

Adults without the necessary education to become employed within the state of Maine.

By individuals looking to improve employment rates for former factory workers.

Important Adult Education Organizations

Tennessee Technology Centers

Founded in 1963 by the Tennessee General Assembly

Part of the state’s higher education system27 regional centersCompletely adult-focused in 1993Purpose is to train adults for jobsHealthy balance of cohort and Montessori

stylePrograms are based on clock hours, but

typically last 20 months at roughly 20 hours per week

Very high graduation and placement ratesConsidered a national model

Coalition of Lifelong Learning Organizations

Established in 1973National organization for groups with a common

interest in lifelong learningGives several awards to to those who contribute to the

causePurpose is to develop, maintain, and improve lifelong

learning educationPublic educator on adult education and lifelong learningAssisted Joint Commission of Community Colleges with

Tech Prep legislationWorked with National Coalition for Literacy to

strengthen the continuum of adult educationVery involved in influencing many key pieces of adult

education legislation

The Future of Adult Education

• In the future we can predict that adult education will continue to grow in the areas of forms, on-the-job-training, workshops, and community-based training.

• The providers of adult education programs will have a more in-depth understanding of trends and other learning designs that will help the progression of adult education.

• These progressions will help improve the overall learning experience that participants of adult education programs will have.

• In the future, we all can make adult education more visible by sharing the great experiences we

have had with adult education programs. • Each one. Teach one.

Individual Reflection – Christy Blanch

I always thought of adult education as either supplemental learning or adults going back to school, but always as formal education.

I had very little knowledge of adult learning. Reflecting on what we have learned, I realize the field is

broad – adult learning can be:

By learning more about how adults learn and about what should be considered adult education, I can better understand my adult students and reach out to them. I have already done this in the MOOC I teach.

Individual Reflection – Kristin Walsh

I personally didn’t realize how much organizations like Goodwill do to help adults get back into school, and I hope I have the opportunity to continue to support them in the future.

I think programs like the Maine College Transition Initiative are a perfect way to help people master the problems facing them with support from people around them. If programs like MCT were more prevalent, I think more people would be interested/less intimidated by the idea of going back to school.

Working with this particular group has really broadened my own perspective, and hopefully I’ve been a help to them as well!

Individual Reflection – Rob Mathews

I had no idea adult education was such a broad topic area. I now see adult education as virtually any setting where

adults can learn and grow. I have found learning about key adult educators and

organizations in our history to be very interesting and enlightening.

By understanding that virtually any adult engagement can be adult learning, I have grown to appreciate each and every situation where this is the case.

By gaining a better understanding of the impacts of adult education on our society, I am now better equipped to understand the unique needs and learning styles of adults.

Individual Reflection –Kandace Hoosier

• This course has given me a broader perceptive on the field of adult education.

• Learning about the various adult education programs has shown me that there are many others in the community setting that are trying to make a difference in others lives not only in Indiana but all over the world.

• This course has also showed me that in the field of adult education, at times it takes a team to get the goals of an adult education program accomplished. I am very appreciative to have had the pleasure of working in an amazing group on this semester’s group projects.