Adult and Continuing Education - Essay Example

In recent years, educators are increasingly relying on adult education to bring about social change through community development initiatives implemented at the grassroots level. Indeed, studies have deliberated on the social role of adult education in terms of empowering populations and contributing to the development of communities (Glassman, Erdem and Bartholomew 273-274; Guo 107-108). This blog undertakes an exploration of a professional agency involved in adult education to support the argument that the adult learning curriculum should be based on social action and community development rather than on individual problems and needs.

The professional agency in question is the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE). The statement underscores the need for the adult learning curriculum to be grounded on social action and community development initiatives. This stand has been reinforced in the vision/purpose statement of the AAACE, which notes the association “is dedicated to the belief that lifelong learning contributes to human fulfillment and positive social change” (American Association for Adult and Continuing Education par. 1). I am of the opinion that adult education initiatives should be focused on triggering social change by empowering community members and upgrading their knowledge and skills to fully participate in local activities.

Adult education, in my view, should not be concerned with addressing individual problems. On the contrary, it should be focused on assisting community members to acquire the skills, knowledge, and values needed to bring about social change by leading fruitful and fulfilling lifestyles (American Association for Adult and Continuing Education par. 1). As a future adult educator, this information is important as it will help me to consider the needs of the community when preparing the curriculum.

The three most important teaching methods for adult learners include team teaching, step-by-step teaching, as well as contextualized teaching.