Project Demonstration

Angela commented on Group 1 and 3

Project Demonstration Abstract 
Angela-Introduction, Course of Action, Editing, Proofing, Submitting
Gisele– Rationale,Conclusion, Action Plan, Editing, Proofing

Please review the power point slide show:

 https://www.slideshare.net/secret/s8VcYzJIJRZiPT

 

The general purpose of our project was to create a program designed for a group of adults. Our group was tasked with picking a topic, completing research for a literature review, researching two different programs that are in a program investigation, and getting an evaluations done by two professionals that would provide concrete feedback to our group. Spiritual learning was our topic which was to provide guidance and direction for assisting adult learners in changing their life by focusing on goals, purposes, attitudes, and principles of spiritual success. This is a spiritual journey of learning.

Each author created a literary review about spiritual learning and the effects it has on others. Learners will begin cultivating the ability to let go, our capacity to forgive and be forgiven, our capacity to be fully present and profoundly alive in the moment.

In doing our research we discovered that through a spiritual growth programs, adult learners can be retrained or trained to be morally grounded in order to expand their capacity while deepening their spiritual life. 

The first thing we had to investigate was how do we help adult learners to see the connections between what they already know and the subject matter?”  During our investigation be discovered effective strategy made the content relevant and meaningful within the framework of the adult learner’s social, emotional, and physical development.  

Once our literature review was complete, we moved on to research on spiritual learning.  We wanted to focus on spiritual learning behind bars.  It is designed for ex-offenders to grow in their spiritual walk, but also designed to allow students to grow maturity for a future of education.This program offers seminars, workshops, classes and other programs for ex-offenders seeking spiritual healing and cleansing.   SLBBB offer a safe space for the ex-offender to look deeply in to the old tapes, beliefs systems or obstacles that landed them in prison.

Their success has been largely attributable to a unique convergence of several important factors:

·       Integral student participation and achievement.

·       Genuine interest and support from the program and community partnerships.

·       Cost effectiveness in service delivery.

·       Willingness to openly share program methods, philosophy, and real life experiences.

·       Willingness to change and grow and to “go by the data.”

Developing this project taught us as adult educators, we know that adult learners come to the classroom with a wealth of knowledge to share and a plethora of experiences that contribute to their academic environment. They are not empty vessels to be filled, instead, the positive exchange of experiences and knowledge promotes growth amongst all in the classroom, the students and teachers alike. 

There are many difficult obstacles that one must overcome to be a successful adult learner.  A suggestion would be to look deeper into understanding the adult learners.  One approach for accomplishing this is through the use of adult learner evaluations before the learner begins the program.  Some researchers disagree with this argument because they believe the learners do not know their own needs. However, many experts believe student feedback/suggestions to be reliable and valid.

The evaluators provided helpful and positive criticism.  Most of their review included partnering with industry experts when providing guidance and instructions on specific topics.

Rationale

The main idea of the program is to help the ex-offender discover what it takes to break the cycle of criminal life and incarceration. Based on the accounts of those who have lived this experience, it requires an intense will to change attitudes and behavior to improve one’s life, a willingness to learn new skills, love themselves and an ability to overcome rejection time after time. The obstacles that are in store for the ex-offender who is released into society are enormous. 

SLBBB helps ex-offenders discover new approaches that can help change their lives spirituality and explore practical approaches for everyday living, so that they do not become repeat offenders.  

The purpose for starting this program is to help ex-offenders transition back into the main stream of society; after leaving prison so that they bring back value to themselves, their families, and their communities.

Once released from the criminal justice system, ex-offenders usually find re-entering society a difficult process. Attitudes and behavior that ensure survival in prison (being tough, intimidating or withdrawn) work against building a stable spiritual and emotional life.

The ex-offenders spiritual growth is essential before they can understand the importance of assuming responsibility for their future and turning away from antisocial behavior that leads to crime, and back to prison.

SLBBB main purpose is to assist the ex-offender with the culture shock of going from regimented prison life to the life on the outside.   By focusing on a few simple things the ex-offender can create a whole new way of being for themselves, and begin a much more blessed life. The ex- offender will learn the importance of assuming responsibility for their future and turning away from antisocial behavior that leads to crime, and back to prison, by discovering their spirituality.

Prison life is traumatic. It is often dehumanizing. Yet being back in society has its own ordeals. The ex-offender must first develop a spiritual believe system within for why they deserve to heal and forgiven before they can start over. 

SLBBB has three primary features to guide this program. Our program primary purpose is to teach the ex-offender the following:

Forgiveness – You can’t be spiritual if you are walking around with a big chip on your shoulder, holding grudges against people, or just generally harboring a bunch of deep resentments. It just doesn’t work. SLBBB teaches the ex-offender to free up some of the energy (hate and anger is a big drain) by forgiving themselves and others. SLBBB provides tools and resources to get the ex-offender to look at overcoming resentments. Forgiving yourself and others and letting go of your resentments is a huge step towards living a spiritual life.

Literature – SLBBB encourages the ex-offender seeking a spiritual path to try reading spiritual books. We offer the ex-offer a wide range of daily devotions and various spiritual literatures such as the daily mediation book, or any spiritual text that will help the ex-offender adjust in society.

Stop Measuring and Comparing – In life we have a tendency to measure ourselves against others. For example, the ex-offender we might think that everyone around him/her is a spiritual guru compared to them. We encourage the ex-offender to stop putting themselves down in this way, realize that we are all spiritual beings, and we all have the opportunity to be in tune today and connect with our higher selves.

Course of Action

After a prisoner is released from jail, they will be introduced to different programs that are offered in the state, which include seminars, workshops, classes and various programs that will introduce them to Spiritual Learning Behind Bars and Beyond.  This will begin the process.

Step 1 -Share. Each individual will have their own personal story to share. This will help them in their forgiveness stage, and help them to be able to open up in front of others to share their personal journey. This is a crucial part of the program, because the forgiving stage will help them relate and connect to their spiritual learning and development. This process will be different for each individual, and Spiritual Learning Behind Bars and Beyond will provide guidance and mentoring from beginning to end. 

Step 2- Develop your spiritual being. Everyone has a unique story to share and it is their personal story which will make each person’s story unique. This may be difficult for individuals to open up and share but it will help them to love and accept themselves for who they truly are. It is also a way for them to trust and respect themselves fully and completely and realize their true essence of unconditional love and individual freedom. The seminars, programs and workshops will help the ex-offenders in the development of spiritual growth by the training and programs that are offered in the ex-offenders program.   

Step 3- Participate. During this phase, the ex-offenders will participate in various workshops and begin to heal and transform. They will work on obstacles and determine what they have created that did not allow them to have the desires of life. The ex-offenders will open their hearts and minds to determine what is important to them. They are making a life changing decision when they chose spiritual growth. Facilitators at the workshops are there to help ex-offenders work through their personal journey and their personal reflections. During this process they will be able to walk away with pamphlets, videos, and technical tools, to ensure that they are developing in the right direction.

Step 4-Commitment. This is a special part of the program. The ex-offenders will commit to take responsibility for their past and their future. Our ex-offenders are going to learn to have a personal relationship and spiritual relations with self. They will also learn to commit to having a relationship with family and friends and commit to personal partnerships.  The goal is that ex-offenders will connect to a spiritual being and gain confidence and believe in themselves. This program will be encouraging to other ex-offenders when they see the changes in the ones that have been through the program. This will encourage other ex-offenders to connect to their spiritual side and master their life and teach them to create the life the truly desire through spiritual awareness.

Once we completed the project, and now having to reflect on the overall process, I have learned a great deal on spiritual learning. There was a lot of research out there for spiritual learning, so we were fortunate to be able to find it and complete the research. I think the overall project has given me a better understanding of a spiritual process. It has also allowed me to understand that there is a difference between religion and spiritual learning. It is important to understand how spiritual learning integrates with adult learners.