Malcolm S. Knowles “The Accidental Andragogue” Ron Eicher CAE 213 March 17, 2012

Malcolm Knowles A Biographical Journey : Key individuals and events in the life of Malcolm S. Knowles

Malcolm Knowles A biographical journey… Born 1913; grew up in Missoula, Montana Good parents Studied at Harvard Intended to work for the Foreign Service Met his wife (Hulda) at Harvard Cyril O.Houle Hulda?

Malcolm Knowles A biographical journey… 1934: graduated from Harvard Enrolled in Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Applied for job with State Department Three year wait for entry. Married in 1935; needed job Joined the new National Youth Administration (NYA) NYA parade float

Malcolm Knowles A biographical journey… Met Eduard Lindeman (supervised NYA training program) Mentored by Lindeman Knowles: “The thing I remember most vividly about this first encounter was the intensity with which Lindeman listened to me; his facial expression and eyes were a classic study in concentration” (MAE 8). Eduard Lindeman

Malcolm Knowles A biographical journey… 1943: Drafted into the Navy Read widely about adult education 1946: Left navy and pursued master’s at the University of Chicago Took job at Central Chicago YMCA: Director of Adult Education Carl Rogers

Malcolm Knowles A biographical journey… Early in master's program attended a seminar about group counseling “It was exhilarating. I began to sense what it means to get ‘turned on’ to learning. I began to think about what it means to be a facilitator of learning rather than a teacher” (MAE 14).

Malcolm Knowles A biographical journey… Worked at YMCA full-time ( ) 1949: earned master’s 1950: Published first book (thesis) Informal Adult Education Executive Director of Adult Education Association (AEA) 1960: earned Ph. D. Launched graduate program in AE at Boston University Nearly resigned after first year

Malcolm Knowles A biographical journey… Spent 14 years in Boston Produced two key texts during this time: The Modern Practice of Adult Education (1970) The Adult Learner (1973)

Malcolm Knowles A biographical journey… 1974: Moved to North Carolina State University Established graduate AE program and taught his favorite courses “totally on the andragogical model” (21). Retired from NC State in 1979

Malcolm Knowles August 24, 1913-November 27, 1997 “ As an Andagogue, he educated with his whole being. He touched my soul.” (Henshcke 3)

Socio-cultural Context Knowles graduated from Harvard in 1934 during the Great Depression World War II GI Bill 49% of all college students were veterans in 1947 (gibill.com) 1930’s and 40’s

Socio-cultural Context The “Golden Age” Korean War Space Race Color TV, Disneyland, Elvis, Everest and…! 1950’s

Contribution to Adult Learning Popularized self-directed learning (andragogy) Major influence on the development of adult education theory in USA Development of NYA and YMCA training programs Development of AE graduate programs (Boston Univ., NC State) Executive director of Adult Education Association (AEA) Authored key texts: Informal Adult Education The Modern Practice of Adult Education, The Adult Learner

Principles of Adult Teaching (1948): 1. The students should understand and subscribe to the purposes of the course. 1. The students should want to learn. 1. There should be a friendly and informal climate in the learning situation. 1. Physical conditions should be favorable. 1. The students should participate and should accept some responsibility for the learning process. 2. Learning should be related to and should make use of the students’ experience. 1. The teacher should know his subject matter 1. The teacher should be enthusiastic about his subject and about teaching it. 1. Students should be able to learn at their own pace. “Whatagogy?” Knowles’ commitment to life-long learning

“Whatagogy?” Principles of Adult Teaching (1948): 10. The student should be aware of his own progress and should have a sense of accomplishment. 10. The methods of instruction should be varied. 10. The teacher should have a sense of growth. 10. The teacher should have a flexible plan for the course (MAE 75,76). “I had not yet arrived at a coherent and comprehensive theory of adult learning” (MAE 76). 1967: Knowles is introduced to the term “andragogy” (MAE 78). Knowles’ commitment to life-long learning

(Knowles, 1989): “I have been busier since I retired than I ever was while holding a full-time job, but it has been a period of expansive growth. I have met hundreds of able, smart, and nice people all over the country and the world, and I have learned more from them than they have from me” (24). “Whatagogy?” Knowles’ commitment to life-long learning

Relating Knowles to CAE 213 Material Knowles’ ideas are why courses like this one exist. Self-directed, participatory learning (e.g.- this presentation!) Learning contracts On a larger scale: Cooperative Extension TEE HRD YMCA Peace Corps

”I am not OK; and you are not OK; but Jesus can fix us both!” (WHH?)

References Corbett, Steve and Brian Fikkert. When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself. Chicago: Moody P., Print. Henschke, J. A. "Reflections on Experiences of Learning with Malcolm Shepherd Knowles," New Horizons Online Journal in Adult Education and Human Resources Development, Vol. 22: No.3 I 4, Pp , SulFa Kness, Ron. “60 Dollars and a Train Ticket Home: Looking Back at Veteran Education Benefits.” Gibill. 29 July, Web. 15 April, Knowles, Malcolm. The Making of an Adult Educator: An Autobiographical Journey. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass P., Print.