Reality and Purpose; A Visitor's Reflections on Some Aspects of American Adult Education.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Reality and Purpose; A Visitor's Reflections on Some Aspects of American Adult Education.
Authors: Elsdon, Konrad T., Center for the Study of Liberal Education for Adults, Brookline, MA.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 28
Publication Date: 1957
Descriptors: Adult Education, Adult Educators, Credit Courses, Degrees (Academic), Educational Philosophy, Evaluation, Noncredit Courses, Professional Recognition, Program Length, Student Teacher Relationship, Universities, Vocational Education
Abstract: In this attempt to view the approach to adult education in the United States, the dangers and benefits of mingling vocational and non-vocational, credit and noncredit, technical, commercial, and liberal adult education within one institution are presented. Examined also are the status of adult educators within the university, the love of organized talk, the cloaking of simple explanations in complicated and unintelligible jargon (mainly psychological and sociological), the dangers of overcompensation, the conflict between the establishment of standards and the impact of personalities, the shortness of courses, the preoccupation with securing degrees, and the question of the field as a discipline and the possible chances of integrating it with other disciplines. On the credit side are the widespread readiness to think about what one is doing, to work and cooperate, and to sacrifice and face danger; the resistance to the dangers of the system; and the attempt to orient some programs to the needs of the students and the community. (nl)
Journal Code: RIEAUG1969
Entry Date: 1969
Accession Number: ED027455
Database: ERIC
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