1. Humanist theory

2. Humanism
A reaction against behaviourism

3. Increasing understanding of the self and others, leading to an acceptance of an ever changing self

4. Carl Rogers
Rogers (1959):
Humans have one basic motive, that is the tendency to self-actualise, ie fulfil one’s potential.
Likened human beings to a flower that will grow to its full potential if the conditions are right, but which is constrained by its environment. People will flourish if their environment is good enough.
Unlike flowers, however, we are meant to develop in different ways according to our personality.

5. Rogers
Freedom to Learn (1969) set out his thoughts about how his ideas could be realised in an educational context. He advocated:
A student-centred approach
That the tutor should be a resource for the students
That the relationship between tutor and student should be all important
Establishing an environment which is most conducive to learning

6. Rogers’ guidelines (contd)
Learning climate should be characterised by openness and trust
Tutor should accept the learners expressing their feelings and thoughtsl
Tutor should recognise and accept own limitations
Tutor should be alert to learners’ emotions and interpersonal tensions

7. Pioneers of Humanism Abraham Maslow (1954) Hierarchy of Human Needs

8. Pioneers of Humanism

9. Pioneers of Humanism

10. Pioneers of Humanism
Yay!

11. Humanist School of Learning
Proposes that we are all unique individuals
Self is in constant process of forming & reforming
A product of our own experience of a particular set of circumstances
Emphasis is on the development and needs of the self
Autonomous learning
Intrinsic Motivation
Free will
Its all about me!!

12. Humanist approach assumes
Choice over learning environment
Choice over when to learn
Teachers acting as facilitators
Choice over timing of assessment
Student involvement in organisation of learning establishment

13. Examples in practice A S Neill’s Summerhill school
Learn what you want when you want
Lower academic achievement but are there other measures?

14. Malcolm Knowles (you know all about him!)
Introduced the concepts of pedagogy and andragogy

15. Knowles’ six assumptions
People:
The need to know
Self concept
Experience
Readiness to learn
Orientation to learning
Motivation

16. Evaluation
Pros:
Although few colleges have fully integrated the approach, many utilise at least some aspects in day to day teaching.
Recognises individual variation

17. Evaluation Cons: Difficult to adopt fully (funding, timetables)
Vague and open to interpretation
Potential problems for society
Experience suggests: Some schools have adopted this model. ‘Free schools’ fail to match exam results of traditional schools

18. Principles of humanism
Significant learning takes place when the subject matter is relevant to the personal interests of the student
Learning which is threatening to the self (eg new attitudes or perspectives) are more easily assimilated when external threats are at a minimum
Learning proceeds faster when the threat to the self is low
Self-initiated learning is the most lasting and pervasive.