ADULT EDUCATION AND NATIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

ED 3102

LECTURE ONE

This lecture will cover the following:Concept of educationConcept of adult educationTypes of education:Formal educationInformal educationNon-formal educationoConcepts of AE: Continuing EducationLifelong learningDistance Education

QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION

What do you understand by the term adult education (AE)?

ADULT EDUCATIONKnowles (1980) concurred that the

term ‘adult education’ is confusing.This is because the term is used with

different meanings.In its broadest sense, the term

describes a process – the process of adult learning.

It encompasses practically all experiences of mature men and women by which they acquire new knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes, interests or values.

CONCEPT ....A process used by adults for their self-

development, both alone and with others.An educational process that is often used

in combination with production processes, political processes, or service processes.

Technically, AE describes a set of organized activities carried on by a wide variety of institutions for the accomplishment of specific educational objectives.

It encompasses all the organized classes, study groups, lecture series, conferences, workshops etc which adults engage.

WHAT IS ADULT EDUCATION?Adult education is defined “as activities

intentionally designed for the purpose of bringing about learning among those whose age, social roles, or self-perception define them as adults” (Smith, 2008).

The discipline includes all types of learning that adult people acquire in any place, be it at formal institution, informal institution, at working place, home, or anywhere that learning is taking place.

CONT…

Mushi (1998) explains that adult education is used in two major ways:

as a field of operation (practice)as a field of study and research

AE AS A FIELD OF OPERATION As a field of practice/operation, AE

describes a process of adult learning. Is a process by which people seek to

improve themselves or their community by increasing their knowledge and skills.

Is a set of organized activities carried out by a wide range of institutions, agencies, and other groups aimed at accomplishing certain defined purposes

Examples seminars, workshops, conferences, study groups.

AE AS A FIELD OF STUDY AND RESEARCHAs a field of study or research, AE can

be seen as a specialised body of knowledge arising from study, research, interpretation and reflection

Conceived this way, AE is described as academic, a discipline and profession

As a field of study, it expresses specific values and attitudes, it has different ways of asking questions and seeking knowledge, with the purpose of developing theories and organized body of literature

CONT.

This includes adult learning theories and literature on adult education

Examples, the current body of literature on social and psychological aspects of adult education, adult learning etc

EDUCATION

What is education?

MEANING OF EDUCATION Education is a process in which and by which the

knowledge, characters and behavior of the human being are shaped and molded.

Education is lead to the enlightenment of mankind. Imam Ghazali urged that education is a process

which enable an individual to distinguish between the true and false, the good and bad, the right conduct and the evil doing.

Aristotle views education as a process of creation of sound mind in a sound body.

Pestolozi sees education as a natural, progressive and systematic development of all the forces.

Education distinguishes human being from other creations.

The process of education is not only self- realization of the individual but it is also to bring into action the potential in man.

The "education" has been derived from Latin words "Educare, Educatwrn" and Educare" means to train, to bring and to nourish‘ while educare' `means to lead out', so we can say that education is to bring up, to developing and shaping up the individual talent and his inner potentialities.

TYPES OF EDUCATIONMention different types of education that you know.

TYPES OF EDUCATIONEducation in its all-inclusive form goes

beyond what takes places within the four walls of the classroom.

A child gets education from his experiences outside the school as well as from those within on the basis of these factors.

So, there are mainly three types of education, namely, Formal, Informal and Non-formal.

FORMAL EDUCATION Some characteristics:Planned with a particular end in

view.Limited to a specific period.Well-defined and systematic

curriculumGiven by specially qualified

teachers.Includes activities outside the

classroomObserves strict discipline.

(i) Planned with a particular end in view • Formal education is planned with a particular end

in view.• It is given in school, college and similar other

institutions which are established with the purpose.

• In this way it is direct schooling, instruction and tuition.

(ii) Limited to a specific period • Formal education is limited to a specific period or

stage.• It is provided according to certain set rules and

regulations.• It is in the form of systematic, planned and guided

instruction.

(iii) Well-defined and systematic curriculum

Forma education has a well-defined and systematic curriculum.

This curriculum is based on certain aims and objectives.

These aims are in conformity with the needs of the society and the state.

(iv) Given by specially qualified teachers

Formal education is given by specially qualified teachers they are supposed to be efficient in the art of instruction.

(v) Includes activities outside the class-room

In modern progressive schools, the process of education is not merely restricted to the four walls of the class-room, tere are activities outside the classroom and inside it.

(vi) Observes strict discipline Formal education observes strict

discipline. The pupil and the teacher are both

aware of the fact an engage themselves in the process of education.

INFORMAL EDUCATION Informal Education is "the process, by which a

person take in attitudes, develops skills, cultivates values and acquires knowledge, without there being any organization or system about it.

This would include the deliberate attempts of parents and elders in the family and community to help the young ones grow and adapt themselves to the environment.

It includes all incidental learning that takes place while at work or at play and during travels-as well as spontaneous learning through films, radio and television.“

Some characteristics:(i) Incidental and spontaneous • Informal education is incidents and spontaneous. • There is no conscious effort involved in it e.g learnt

in a market place or in a hotel or in one's sitting room amount to informal education.

(ii) Not-pre-planned nor deliberate • Informal education is an educative activity which is

neither pre-planned nor deliberate.• The child learns many habits, manners and patterns

while living with others or moving in different spheres like home, society, groups etc.

(iii) Not imparted by any specialized agency Unlike formal education, informal education is not

imparted by any specialized agency such as school or college.

(iv) No prescribed time-table or curriculum Informal education is not given according to any

fixed time-table or through formal means of education.

There is no set curriculum required. Informal education consists in experiences and actual living in the family or community.

(v) May be negative education also Informal education may take to negative direction

also. Instances are not rare when one learns stealing,

or some other forms of misbehaviour from the experiences which the child may casually have in the street, in the market, in the cinema hall or in some other such place.

(C) NON-FORMAL EDUCATIONSome books used the term non-formal

education interchangeably with AE. It refers to any organised educational activity

established outside formal education system intended to serve specific learning group of children, youths, or adults in the community.

It extends learning opportunities to as many people such as workers, peasants, unemployed, youth, aged etc

Programs include in-job and vocational training, traditional and functional literacy, correspondence education, evening classesetc.

What is learnt is somehow structured and there is more flexibility as to places and methods of learning.

Some characteristics:(i) Conscious and deliberate Non-formal education is consciously and

deliberately organized and systematically implemented.

(ii) Outside the realm of formal Education

Unlike informal education which is unstructured, spontaneous and without formality, non-formal education would be structured and planned, but outside realm of formal education.

(iii) To be organised for a homogeneous group

Non-formal education should be organized for a homogeneous group.

Such a group has to be identified in terms of the learning needs of the group member.

(iv) Serving the need of the identified group

Non-formal education should be programmed to serve the needs of the identify group.

This will necessitate flexibility in design of the curriculum and the scheme of evaluation.

CONTINUING EDUCATIONLiveright and Haygood (1969) "a

process whereby persons who no longer attend school on a regular full-time basis … undertake sequential and organized activities with the conscious intention of bringing about changes in information, knowledge undertaking, skill appreciation and attitudes or for the purpose of identifying or solving personal or community problems".

LIFELONG LEARNING The core concept of lifelong learning is that

individuals learn from cradle to grave and that each individual progresses from one learning level to the next throughout their lifetime.

• Lifelong learning encompasses all levels of educational acquisition and in an infinite number of subjects.

• It includes skill training, credential requirements, as well as social interests.

• It also occurs through non-formal means such as libraries, museums, manuals and mentors.

• Innovative delivery formats help to ensure that the learning activities are accessible to anyone that is interested in participating.

DISTANCE EDUCATION

• DE is the various form of study at all levels which either does not imply the physical presence of the teacher appointed to dispense/distribute it in that place where it is received or in which the teacher is present only in occasion or for selected tasks (Keegan 1980)

• Distance Education began with correspondence study and has grown significantly as technology advancements create new opportunities for learning and content delivery.

• The tremendous growth of internet technology has created the most recent version of distance learning which is online or e-Learning.

CONT…

Distance education offers an alternative method of meeting popular demand of education.

Since the 1970s there has been an explosion of new institutions dedicated to distance education. Also existing traditional institutions especially universities started offering distance courses alongside conventional ones.

It exists at all levels from primary through university postgraduate level.(common in sec. and higher levels) primary levels are the programme of adult learners.

CONT.

Distance educ and distance learning are used interchangeably .

distance teaching is too teacher centred while distance learning is too students- based. so the term DE is education is more preferred.

DE is also known as flexible learning, distributive learning, on-line learning, e-learning.

DISTANCE EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONS

The African Association for Distance Education founded in 1973 Nairobi (AADE)

The Association of European Correspondence schools (AECS)

Australia and South Pacific External Studies Association (ASPESA) (It is avery large organisation, organise confrense & workshop- its office is in Australia).

DEATA - Distance Education Association of Tanzania

CONT…

Many courses are offered worldwide, as online courses, etc, taking decrees on line, some courses even if you are in campus you need to take them online because of lack of teachers, etc

Task: Find examples of distance education Example:

OUT-Open University

IN CLASS DISCUSSION

Discuss the strengths and challenges of having DE in Tanzania?

WHY DISTANCE EDUCATION?STRENGTHS (DISCUSSION) It can often be a cheaper alternative to

conventional educ. It presents an efficient use of limited resources (teachers, buildings, ..) and an appropriate to expand existing educational provision.

It can be highly cost effective (different when u are in campus (food, accommodation,..)

It gives increased access to education for groups who are disadvantage (remote areas) where some level of education are not available

CONT…

Suitable for professional upgrading (in-service teacher education), upgrade training while keeping the teachers in schools.

It improves independent learning, self study The learner has a greater choice over the

strategies whereby learning takes places, speed and pace of learning, and the content of what is being learnt

WEAKNESSES OF DE(DISCUSSION) It is still seen as a second rate in many

countries (particularly primary and seconday learning)

DE programmes are very expensive to set up, requires large number of skilled people, material writers, editors, graphic designers, instructional designers, media producers, courses’ coordinators, as well as administrative and support staff.

CONT…

DE requires high quality planning and administration (the development, production and distribution of materials may be be problematic if postal services are slow or unreliable the quality of reception of radio, TV broadcast,… even material writing needs enough time to prepare (this is difficult if the writer are employers of other institutions)

CONT…

Students are isolated so need a good support system for the students, tutorial, and advisory support and adequate feedback on written assignments.

It becomes effective if it contain an element of face to face contact. (but this is expensive to provide)

CHALLENGES THAT FACE DE IN TANZANIA Funding Qualified staff Lack of its own physical facilities in some

regions (using other institution buildings) Sufficient communication between learners

and teachers Libraries has no adequate reading material

and reading space to serve distance learners No enough libraries in other regions

REF.

You can read more about this from Alli A. S. Mcharazo.2000

Tolly, S. A.Mbwette ,2005