Applying Adult Learning Theory through Character Analysis - Case Study Example

Applying adult learning theory through character analysis Introduction Adult Learning is a modern approach to demonstrate the difference between learning during the childhood phase with that of adulthood. Adults are self-motivator who develop their learning skills and find notions that will fetch benefit. In contradiction, child has to follow specific curriculum during their learning process (Canadian Literacy and Learning Network, 2015). Adult learning theory proposed by Malcolm Knowles and B.F. Skinner reveals on the learning concept that are adopted for teaching adult learners. In this context, adult learning theory has been discussed in the light of the character ‘Celie’ played by Whoopi Goldberg in the film ‘The Color Purple’. Knowles proposed the concept of adult learning as ‘andragogy’, which is synonymous to pedagogy or teaching. Knowles illustrated adult learners learning features through the film. Again Skinner, asserted adult learning process as cognitive process. Both theories are explained in the light of Celie’s character, whose life was undergoing a severe scenario since her childhood and that even turned into a more horrendous situation after her mother’s demise. The letter to God by Celie in her old age remarkably explains her experience that she had faced during her life span and her admiration for the same could be considered to be an exceptional example of adult learning (Walker & Clarke, n.d.). Knowles Theory on Adult Learning theory Principles of Knowles Theory Knowles is a pioneer person to propose the concept of ‘Adult Learning Theory’. The word ‘adult’ usually confers to the person who has attained the age of maturity (Rothwell, 2008). The point at which person attains self-consciousness and self-direction in their psychological mind, that very moment person attains adulthood. Adult learning can be defined as a mode of ‘learning centered approach’. This type of learning process focuses on the characteristics of the learner. Adult learning is the ambit where the learners adopts their own technique to imbibe the problem and in finding its solution (Mackeracher, 2004). Celie’s character in ‘The Color Purple’ film best demonstrates this attribute. Knowles has made certain assumption in the context of adult learning (Knowles, 2012). The assumptions are summed up as ‘experience’, ‘readiness to learn’, ‘motivation to learn’, ‘self concept’ and ‘relevance’. Self-direction Knowles asserted that self- direction is the key factor to realization. According to his view when a person attains self-direction, it is noted to be the turning point for attaining adulthood. Knowles self-direction concept is intended for the learner to become self-motivated (Knowles, 2013). Celie’s character in ‘The Color of Purple’ attains self-direction when she discovers her husband’s forgery for hiding Nettie’s letter. The change in Celie’s character has been identified to be one of the most significant gestures that reflect on adult learning within the complex social domain. Moreover, this self-direction supported her to start her own business venture that eventually succeeded to let her lead a liberal life free from atrocity and vengeance. Experience Experience, another assumption led by Knowles helps the adult learners to gain knowledge from their past life deeds. Adult learners learn those things from where they could retrieve benefits about the present lifestyle. Thereby, it can be inferred that adult learner experience works as a source of guiding force for his or her future perspectives (Knowles, 2013). In alignment of experience laid by Knowles assumption can be equally traced to Celie’s life. The journey of Celie’s life in the movie beautifully portrays her experience from the fourteen years of her life which she has spent in misery and atrocity that provided her guideline to move forward remaining behind her husband. The film beautifully explains her success story as an entrepreneur after she attains the self-motivation and gains the diverse notions that are associated with life. Readiness to learn According to Knowles assumption regarding readiness to learn helps in developing the effectiveness of learning within a social dimension. The learners who have such traits even find out those things to learn from where they can derive benefits. These learners first faces problems and then starts to find solutions that would help in developing the overall attributes associated with the same. This learning concept is just reversed from a child who learns by following a certain guideline that is provided under a curriculum (Knowles, 2013). In the film ‘The Color Purple’, Celie’s character had received utter importance and revealed a detailed understanding about the miserable life of Black Americans who were living in the stated era of the film. There are many things to learn from Celie’s life. Her struggle during the past fourteen years after the demise of her mother that continues till the later phases of her life reveals many aspects that are associated with learning. One of the most interesting part that is reflected about her life was the decision she has taken in terms of leaving her husband reflects to be one of the most important part for ensuring character development and increase the processes of adult learning. Motivation to learn Adults are good learners and learn those subjects where they are self-motivated. Knowles assumptions to develop a level of motivation for adult learning theory reveal on a transparent concept. According to his assumptions without motivation adults may find no interest to develop the learning abilities (Knowles, 2013). Celie’s role in the film is quite motivating for the adult learners. Celie’s journey through her life and the atrocity faced by her is identified to be motivating the adult learners. The film is based upon American novel and despite of several criticisms the film has received several awards from the critique. The film is a subject that has been a learning need for all the adult learners. This could be duly identified from the message conveyed by the movie. The stated norms in the movie have also acted as an effective as well as guiding notion for every adult. Skinner’s theory on adult learning B.F. skinner theory is based upon the function of learning framed over the obvious behavior of learners. ‘Reinforcement’ is the most effective basis of learning that has been reflected through the theory that has been laid down by Skinner. Behavioral changes occur in response to the alteration in the environment or it may be stipulated that it is the individual who responses to the stimuli generated from the external environment (Instructional Design, 2013). Celie’s life of disaster well explains the changes in behavior of the human beings at each stage of life. Celie’s husband is the best example to illustrate such changes that are taking place within human behavior. The person who used to beat her wife (Celie) and tried to hide her sister’s letters was later on changed into a different type of a personality. The traumatic depictions were followed by a huge transition that took place in his life and finally he became good friends with Celie. The stated situational change could be acclaimed as an illustrative example of behavioral change of a person in response to the changing situation of life. Celie’s behavior has been considered in this purview. Despite of so many misery of life she chose to become friend with her changed husband could be stated as commendable. Conclusion Celie’s life of distress and atrocity is the best example for the adult learners to learn. Knowles assumptions for adult learning or ‘andragogy’ and skinner’s learning theory helps to demonstrate Celie’s life and in deriving life’s moral. Adult learners are self-directed as well as self-motivated. They bear the features of readiness to learn and frequently change their behavior in response to the stimuli from the environment. Celie’s role in the film ‘The Color Purple’ reveals her behavioral change due to continued extortion that is going on during the lifespan, initially, from her so-called pseudo father and later by her drunkard husband. In the anticlimax part of the film possessed positive message. Celie’s life self-establishment and her reunion with her sister as well as with her two children is the best anticlimax of the film. Her learning from her life was that men could not be loved; it is the women who cherished her life with love and care as she got from her sister “Nettie” and ‘Shug’. Learning is such as aspect that can be adopted from anything and from any sphere but it has to be self motivated and self-directed. Every individual must bear the quality of readiness to learn, as this would be the guiding force that will aid the adult to lead their life in a more sustainable manner. In the light of Celie’s character, it can be inferred that through extortion, atrocity, torture and other form of cruelty that drives the life of people there is always a ray of light present in our life that helps to go ahead leaving behind the cruel as well as miserable events of past. References Canadian Literacy and Learning Network. (2015). Principles of adult learning. Retrieved from http://www.literacy.ca/professionals/professional-development-2/principles-of-adult-learning/ Instructional Design. (2013). Operant conditioning. Retrieved from http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/operant-conditioning.html Knowles, M. (2012). Knowles andragogy. Retrieved from http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/knowlesa.htm Mackeracher, D. (2004). Making sense of adult learning. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Rothewell, W.J. (2008). Adult learning basics. United States of America: American Society for Training and Development. Walker, A. & Clarke, P.M. (n.d.). The Color Purple. Retrieved from http://www.ncte.org/library/NCTEFiles/Involved/action/Rationale_ColorPurple.pdf Read More