ERIC Number: ED480439
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 4
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Adult Civic Education. Practice Application Brief.
Imel, Susan
The objectives of adult civic education were examined, and recommendations for its effective practice were offered to educators. The following purposes of adult civic education were discussed: inform learners of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; explain how citizens participate in building a society by making informed decisions; and foster development of action designed to seek solutions to situations. The need for adult civic education programs to encompass the following interrelated domains of learning was emphasized: cognitive (information); affective (values); and action. The principles and problems of the liberal and radical approaches to adult civic education were reviewed along with a "third way" or philosophical orientation that supports the development of reflexive citizenship involving self-critical and dynamic learning and active citizenship and supports individuals as they learn to deal with diversity in politics and social practices. The following recommendations were offered to practitioners: (1) determine the underlying philosophical approach to adult education; (2) use an approach that focuses on learning as construction rather than as instruction; (3) use methods that encourage critical thinking, discussion, listening, and reflection; (4) create a context within the learning environment that models the kind of society that learners are working to achieve; and (5) connect with issues in which learners have a personal interest. (Contains 16 references.) (MN)
Descriptors: Adult Education, Adult Learning, Adult Programs, Citizenship Education, Civics, Classroom Techniques, Constructivism (Learning), Definitions, Educational Environment, Educational Objectives, Educational Philosophy, Educational Practices, Educational Research, Educational Strategies, Guidelines, Literature Reviews, Role of Education, Teacher Student Relationship, Teaching Methods, Theory Practice Relationship
For full text: http://www.ericacve.org/pubs.asp.
Publication Type: ERIC Publications
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, Columbus, OH.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A