Transformative Learning Essay Example for Free

Transformative Learning Essay Transformative learning is defined as â€Å"a process of getting beyond gaining factual knowledge alone to instead become changed by what one learns in some meaningful way.†(Wikipedia).     Michael Tsao, Kasuyo Takahashi, Jamal Olusesi, and Shikha Jain of the University of Georgia, defined transformative learning as, â€Å"learning to purposively question one’s own assumptions, beliefs, feelings, and perspectives in order to grow or mature personally and intellectually (Wikipedia). Transformative learning was introduced by Jack Mezirow in 1978 as an adult education but over the years, Susan Imel noted that it has evolved into a comprehensive and complex description of how learners construe, validate, and reformulate the meaning of their experience. † (Imel as cited by Mark Smith). According to Carrie Paechster, transformative learning does not only focus upon the transmission of existing knowledge but also acknowledges the importance of new knowledge being produced with in workplace communities.† (p8) He noted that â€Å"a role for a theory of instruction as well as the focus on the social processes, relationships, and resources that are needed to support learning.†(p. 68).   Paechter emphasized that â€Å"instruction in this sense involves ensuring that the goals of learning are clear and people are encouraged thinking beyond the immediate circumstances.† (p.68).   Thus, transformative learning has become an important option for individuals to have, and to experience as this could enhance one’s potentiality and the ability to cope with the increasing pressures of the day to day circumstances.   It is quite common that there are circumstances that sometimes difficult to handle especially when encounter engine trouble along the way with no one else to help.   This often poses problem not only in matters of schedule but in physical safety as well. International Association for Continuing Education and Training, Juanita S Stein and Shanan Farmer stated that transformative learning â€Å"opens door to substantial learning experiences that can be cultivated in a life long scope of practice† (p. 199).   They pointed further that transformative learning provides a perspective and can be associated with strategies that will cultivate an approach to reflective practice, cope with change, and create solutions that will be indigenous to the participants† (p.   199). Design and Implementation Since there are not many resources for an established design and implementation of transformative learning in the university context, here is a practical design and implementation of transformative learning in the university context. The university will adopt a non formal yet practical education in basic and practical know-how which offers basic knowledge and skills in the following fields of experience: Car engine trouble shooting, plumbing and basic life saving technique. This course is designed to equip and empower students to handle unexpected problem by them particularly in a situation where help is not possible. This course is a two months program which classes are to be held every afternoon on Saturdays. The concept of this program was derived from an information relates by Fordham University at an international conference in Williamsburg USA in 1967, about a growing â€Å"world educational crises† Non formal Practical education will offer practical education which aim not only theoretically well feed but also practically well rounded. This short-term program has to be adopted by the university as an arm of the university in helping out-of-school youth and adults.   This will be offered free of tuition fee except of miscellaneous expenses.   All applicants of this program must present requirements such as birth certificate, residence certificate, endorsement of the local community officials and good moral character from previous school attended for out-of-school youth.   Those who can complete the program will be given certificates of compliance which he can use in applying for a job and for any purpose it may serve him or her. The classes will be held every Saturday afternoon within the duration of four months during regular classes, and two months during summer classes in which classes are held during Saturdays and Sundays. Critical Discussion of the Design and Outcome Non-formal education is a two-month course designed to provide students a new perspective, a new experience that will help them ‘cope with change and create solutions that will be indigenous to the participants.’ In this course, the experience that the students get will help them realize that they have potentials and they could explore based on this new experience. As they ponder upon their lives, they will come to know themselves in terms of their potentials.   As Jack Mezerow defines transformative learning, â€Å"it is the process by which we transform our taken-for-granted frames of reference† (as cited in Eric Digest).   That is, perspective mindset, habits, and mind to make them more inclusive, discriminating, open, emotionally capable of change, and reflective so that they generate beliefs and opinions that will prove more time or justified to guide actions. By participating in the non-formal practical education, as Nancy Franz stated, â€Å"the goal of transformative learning theory is the empowerment through critical reflection for a more participating learning society; the participants are expected to become socially involved particularly if anyone is need of help.   This non-formal practical education is designed to equip and empower participants with practical know-how.    It means that the participants develop a new meaning or perspective of their experience from a new context derived from triggering events and through conversation with others to assess and justify their own assumptions. Thus, transformative learning has become important thing for every adult individual to have and to experience as this could enhance one’s potentiality. Reflection Most of the students who have undergone non-formal practical education are quite confident and has developed a sense of self-worth knowing that they are not only professional who are experts in office or business related matters.   Confident that in a sense, they knew that within them are the technical skills they have developed out of their new experience. The knowledge that they got from this experience have transformed their minds from a helpless-need help individuals at particular circumstances to-do-it myself attitude.   The transformation of their mindset has enable them to face and to cope up with day to day real life challenges with a sense of pride that they could handle even the worst case scenario. Most of all, the program give the students a hope and an opportunity to gain skills which they can use in order to survive in this world.    Work Cited Franz, Nancy 2007. Adult Education: Theories Informing Cooperative Extension’s Transformation.   Journal of Extention. http://www.joe.org/200/February/a1.shtml. Stein, J Farmer, S. 2004.   Connotative Learning: The Trainer’s Guide to Learning Theories and Their Practical Application to Training and Design. International Association for Continuing Education and Training.   USA: Kendall Hunt    Paechter, Carrie 2001.   Knowledge, Power Learning.   London: Sage Publication    Smith, Mark 2007.   Infed. http://www.infed.org/biblio/b-nonfor.htm ‘Transformative Learning in Adulthood.’ ERIC Digest no. 200. http://www.ericdigests.org/1999-2/adulthood.htm

Abstinence-Only vs. Comprehensive Sex Education Essay -- Sex Education

Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the U.S. in the early 1980s the issue of sex education for American youth has had the attention of the nation. There are about 400,000 teen births every year in the U.S, with about 9 billion in associated public costs. STI contraction in general, as well as teen pregnancy, have put the subject even more so on the forefront of the nation’s leading issues. The approach and method for proper and effective sex education has been hotly debated. Some believe that teaching abstinence-only until marriage is the best method while others believe that a more comprehensive approach, which includes abstinence promotion as well as contraceptive information, is necessary. Abstinence-only program curriculums disregard medical ethics and scientific accuracy, and have been empirically proven to be ineffective; therefore, comprehensive sex education programs which are medically accurate, science-based and empirically proven should be the standard method of se x education for students/children in the U.S. The primary argument which most advocates for abstinence only education have is that sex before marriage is immoral, not appropriate and that abstinence is the only completely effective method of preventing teen pregnancy and STI contraction. These advocates also emphasize that condoms are not a sure-fire way of preventing pregnancy and STI contraction. Many of the proponents for abstinence-only education believe that educating youth with information concerning sex and contraception will embolden them to become to begin or increase sexual activity. Such advocates accredit the lowering of teenage pregnancy to abstinence only education (Collins, Alagira, and Summers 12-13). Some abstinence-only proponents also de... ...y Practitioner 84.6 (2011): 6. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. Sonfield, Adam. "Sex Education Remains Active Battleground." Contraceptive Technology Update 1 Mar. 2012. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. "Teen Pregnancy Prevention Focusing on Evidence: Ineffective Abstinence-Only Lessons Being Replaced with Science." The Nation's Health Apr. 2010: 1+. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. Thomas, . "Abstinence-Only Sex Education Statistics - Final Nail in the Coffin." Open Education: Free Education for All. N.p., 5 Jan 2009. Web. 4 Apr. 2012 "US Government Should Stop Funding Abstinence-Only Education: Virginity Pledge Ineffective." Reproductive Health Matters Nov. 2009: 223. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. "Washington Watch: Advocates Seek Support for 'Real' Sex Education." Contraceptive Technology Update 1 June 2009. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Apr. 2012.

Effective Study Skills are the Sole Foundation of a Sound Education Essay

This essay intends to discuss whether effective study skills are the sole foundation to a sound education. A helpful start is to try to understand what is meant by the term study skills. Wikipedia (2014) defines study skills as â€Å"techniques to assess the individual to be an effective learner† and suggests that â€Å"any skill which boosts a students ability to study and pass exams can be termed as a study skill.† The word, skill, is further explained by Cottrell (2013) as â€Å"†¦a learned activity, something that can be developed through practice.† This suggests that anyone can successfully achieve a sound level of education. If skills such as time management, research skills, written skills and people skills can be learned, then perhaps everyone has the equal chance of success in their chosen topic of study. The C.R.E.A.M. Strategy for learning (Cottrell 2013) allows us to build further on the subject of study skills by looking at the learning process and breaking it down into four areas. It is then easy to see where individual study skills can be applied in the learning process. The acronym C.R.E.A.M. Stands for: C – creative, R – reflective, E – effective, A – active, M- motivation. Looking into each of these areas in more depth may give the student opportunity to examine the factors that may influence the learning process and be able to focus on, develop and apply the skills and strategies that they might find most effective. At the same time, weakness that may hinder the learning process, could be identified and dealt with. It seems to suggest that study skills and strategies can be taught, learned and implemented by any individual, so allowing anyone to gain a sound education by using these learned skills. However, there are many factors that may heavily influence the teaching and learning ofthese study skills in the first place, so affecting the implementation of the skills in order to succeed in education. Taylor (2014) believes that â€Å"in order for a student to learn there, are several factors that must be considered. Most of these factors are external†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Indeed, Mondal (2014) tell us there are seven factors that may influence a student: The intellectual factor ie. (i)the individuals intelligence level; (ii)learning factors such as poor or faulty  teaching or learning methods; (iii)physical factors eg. physical development or defects, sensory defects or general ill health; (iv)mental factors especially attitude; (v)emotional and social factors such as instincts, emotions, cooperation or rivalry;(vi)teachers personality; (vii)environmental factors for example, physical conditions at home or place of study. These factors go some way to identifying what may affect the way in which study skills can be learned and used effectively and of course many more could be mentioned too such as cultural and economic factors. In conclusion, effective study skills are vital for the development and continuing success in the education of an individual. However, the successful learning and implementation of these skills can be so heavily influenced by an abundance of outside factors, that it would be difficult to ultimately say that effective study skills are the sole foundation of a sound education. References Cottrell, S. (2013). The Study Skills Handbook, 4th Edition, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke Mondal, P. (2014). http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/learning 21 March 2014 Taylor, D (January 2014). Factors That influence Student Learning, http://www.educationspace360.com/index.php/factors_that_influence_student_learning, 21 March 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/study_skills 20 March 2014

One Morning By Eamon Grennan - 1158 Words

A typical novel contains many pages of rich content that can only last a reader a few days for it to be read entirely. A flower can only grow so high until its delicate petals fall off as it wilts. A dream or nightmare can only last until the person wakes up. All of these palpable and intangible objects have something in common: impermanence. They aren’t everlasting and tend to face death or some form of an ending. In Eamon Grennan’s poem â€Å"One Morning†, the speaker describes several observations of the surroundings in nature, noting the various aspects pertaining to life and death. Through a carefully constructed poetic structure with subtle remarks on the existence of a limited life, Grennan highlights the notion that no matter how much one tries to preserve something, everything – objects and life – will ultimately reach an end. Grennan makes it clear that everything, from physical objects to mental thoughts, will eventually cease to exist. T he physical objects described in the poem exhibit ephemeral states of existence. The narrator recognizes that the decaying otter flesh â€Å"carried all day the scent of this savage valediction†. The word â€Å"savage†, meaning wild or ferocious, results in a paradox with â€Å"valediction† in its connotation because valediction is almost a bittersweet type of farewell. This slight contrast in words makes it seem as though the otter’s death is prominent, stressing its distinct but tragic ending. The scent only lasted a day, which reminds the speaker