Constructing Insight: The Outcomes of Learning

As educators, we strive to guide students along the path of discovery and knowledge acquisition; the motivations for many of us are multifarious. However, what aims should we seek to attain through such engagements? Contemplating about the philosophical nature behind educational methodologies is an important point to ponder. Examples of such deliberations are the learning outcomes of andragogy espoused by Malcolm Knowles.

Malcolm Knowles was an educational theorist who was very instrumental in the adult education movement. Andragogy (education of adults), although in use since 1830, was not a popular term until Knowles’ work. Malcolm believed that learning should produce at least these outcomes:

Adults should acquire a mature understanding of themselves
Adults should develop an attitude of acceptance, love and respect toward others.
Adults should develop a dynamic attitude toward life
Adults should learn to react to the causes not the symptoms of behavior.
Adults should acquire the skills necessary to achieve the potentials of their personalities
Adults should understand the essential values in the capital of human experience
Adults should understand their society and should be skillful in directing social change
Adults should understand their society and should be skillful in directing social change

At the core of these desired outcomes is a belief that adult learners are in control and self directed in accomplishing the goals of their learning. Educators are seen as facilitators merely “brokers of knowledge”, providing experiences conducive to learning discovery.

What are the philosophical outcomes that you strive for? It is never to late the contemplate this.

Resource:
Smith, M. K. (2002) 'Malcolm Knowles, informal adult education, self-direction and anadragogy', the encyclopedia of informal education, www.infed.org/thinkers/et-knowl.htm. Last updated: