Gigi Brown's Literature Paper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Literary Review

Gigi Brown

EDAC 634

Ball State University

September 18, 2014 

Introduction:

One of the basic theories for the field of adult education is transformational learning. The question for educators: What is the nature of this theory and how does it apply to the real life practice of facilitating a college course? Transformation is a cognitive process that includes an examination of an adult's thoughts, feelings, belief systems, and underlying assumptions. The intended outcome of transformative learning is a new awareness of self, development of new perspectives, and the motivation to create personal change. The difference between the transformational learning theory and other adult education theories is that transformational learning involves the process of how an adult develops what they know rather than the knowledge that they currently possess.

Transformational learning occurs when the adult learner discovers a new perspective about the way that they have created meaning for their lives. For the student this process of retrospection and transformation begins in the classroom and continues as lifelong learning.

As a method of teaching adults the theory of transformational learning has the most effectiveness when utilized as an instructional tool rather than as a method of curriculum design. Transformational learning may be approached as a planned process within the classroom, one that is fully explained to the students. It is important to consider that the process of transforming a student’s views and belief systems takes time, effort, and planned guidance on the part of an instructor. Transformation does not occur quickly and may not be fully realized within the duration of a course, especially if utilized in an accelerated degree program.

Transformational learning as an adult education theory is focused on the cognitive process of reflective thought as a means of learning. As students begin to consider other perspectives they become personally transformed and the process of learning is enhanced.

The main themes of this article included:

·         Transformative Learning Theory

·         Autonomous Thinking

·         Education for Transformative Learning

The transformative learning theory theme describe how adults have the coherent body experience associations, concepts, values, feelings, conditioned responses—frames of reference that define their life world.  Transformative learning involves experiencing a profound change in the basic premises of thought, feelings, and actions.  The change helps the adult learning understand themselves and our relationships with other people in the world.

Transformational learning requires authenticity, a commitment to focus on the here and now, and awareness of feelings and emotions within the learning setting. The relationship between the individual and the broader world is discussed in terms of the critical role it plays in learning. Dirkx describes our emotions and feelings as a kind of language for helping us learn about ourselves, our relationships with others and how we makes sense of all aspects of our experiences, both objective and subjective.

Autonomous thinking empowers adult to think for themselves and to accept other forms of thinking around us.  Autonomous thinking helps the adult make decisions for themselves.  If we do not think autonomously we can fall prey to authoritarianism.  This means we place a higher value to the views of people in authority.

Autonomous thinking does not mean we should not respect and listen to how other think, it just means we can establish a new way of looking at things and doing things differently. Since we live in a world of constant change, be must be open minded regarding others.

For example one of my professional mentors told me to never let someone else talk for me. His remarks empowered me as an adult learner to realize that my ability to think and talk for myself, other than letting someone else talk for me, would give me the autonomy to control my professional journey.

Education for transformative learning assists the adult learner in becoming aware of norms. Education provides the adult learners with opportunities to effectively communicate and participate in the process of their beliefs, feelings, and values.   The educational process promotes equal participation for all learners.  Education inspires and encourages communication from different point of views through debates from opposing opinions.  

The role of education for transformational learning set objectives that include autonomous thinking. By fostering learners' critical reflection and experience in discourse, autonomous thinking is possible. The beginnings of thinking autonomously begin in childhood and continue in adulthood. The role of education is to assist adult learners in becoming more critical in assessing assumptions, and become better at recognizing point of references and alternate perspectives, as well as effective at collaborating with others to assess and arrive at judgments in regards to beliefs.

In conclusion the article addressed how the theory of transformational learning should apply to all people and that most people need to practice autonomy to become a transformational learner.

References:

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson.  St. Louis Adult Education Examiner. What is transformational learning? (2006-2014). http://www.examiner.com/article/what-is-transformational-learning

Wikipedia. Transformative Learning. October 26, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformative_learning