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References
Dirkx, J. (2007). Overview of historical contexts of adult learning. Lecture presented at Michigan State University, EAD 861. Sass, E. (2011). American Educational History: A Hypertext Timeline. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.cloudnet.com/~edrbsass/educationhistorytimeline.html. The Learning Revolution White Paper. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.e-c-a.ac.uk/the-learning-revolution/. -
Democracy
How do we build and sustain democracy? -
Period: to
18th Century
These dates are relative! This span is in the early days of the US becoming a nation until just before the Civil War. -
No Women
Controversy over whether women should participate in education. -
Liberal Education
Valued "Liberal Education" in learning -
Building Boom
Although several colleges began in the late 17th and 18th centuries, (Harvard, College of William & Mary, Princeton, Dartmouth, among others) there was a "boom" in starting colleges in the early 1800s. More than 200 opened doors between 1800 - 1850, but many could not sustain the costs. -
Other notables
Debate over purpose of education - theory v. practice (what do I know v. what can I do)
Development of literary societies, urban gentlemen's clubs, self-education
Some vocational emphasis -
Emphasis shift
Primary focus on economic development and building a democracy -
Educating larger segments
Wider availability of books (printing press), literary societies and lyceums, and mutual improvement societies -
Women joining
In the early 1800s, a larger number of women participated -
African Institute
The African Institute opens - oldest higher education institution for African Americans (now called Cheyney University) -
Just before Civil War
Rise of vocational education for occupational specialization, and criticism of traditional liberal arts education -
Morrill Act
a.k.a. "Land Grant Act" -donates public lands to states, the sale of which will be used for the "endowment, support, and maintenance of at least one college"
(Our Land Grant university - Michigan State) -
Period: to
Late 18th and early 19th centuries
Again, these are not specific dates, but general timeframes. -
Chautauqua movement
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Shifts in education
Change about what is "useful knowledge" - industrial base
Decline of literary societies
Increased participation of women
Education for more people rather than only "elite"
Rise in vocational ed - work training and curriculum -
Period: to
Contemporary times - Since the 1920's
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Growth in adult learning
Due to university extension, evening clsses, women's clubs, and chautauquas. -
GI Bill
The GI Bill had a large effect on the growth of adult participation in higher education. -
Emergence of CC
Junior and Community college growth, with average age in late 20s or older. -
Andragogy
Although not new to this era, the rise of progressive education took hold around this time period, primarily attributed to John Dewey. Picking up on this was Malcolm Knowles, who then popularized andragogy. -
Period: to
Today
Where we are now and what we've learned -
Occupational
The focus of education is still largely on occupational or vocational training. -
Lifelong Learning
LIfelong Learning starts to move from being a slogan to an accepted and valued concept -
How adults learn
Incidentally and intentionally. Adults learn in formal, nonformal, and informal settings. UK recognizes the value of informal and nonformal learning through The Learning Revolution". This is a national endeavor to create support for informal learning and build a culture of learning. (You can see the executive summary in our course site.) -
Social and Cultural Context
Influence of race, class, gender, politics plays a huge part in access to and purpose for education. Social and cultural context is critical in shaping the meaning. -
References
Dirkx, J. (2007). Overview of historical contexts of adult learning. Lecture presented at Michigan State University, EAD 861. Sass, E. (2011). American Educational History: A Hypertext Timeline. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.cloudnet.com/~edrbsass/educationhistorytimeline.html. The Learning Revolution White Paper. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.e-c-a.ac.uk/the-learning-revolution/.