Publisher's Synopsis
Adult education in the United States has its roots in democracy.The editors and contributors of this volume build on thathistorical relationship and examine an adult education practicethat not only shapes minds, but also seeks to build communities ofcollaborative action. We explore best practices shared in andinformed decision making within different contexts of adulteducation--in the community, the classroom, and the university--byfocusing on various aspects of our work as adult educationpractitioners.
Early in the twentieth century, adult education was oftendescribed as a "movement," a spontaneous emergence of studycircles, town hall meetings, and learning groups, all engaged inbetter understanding their world to build a better onedemocractically. Education in its broadest sense--learning to namethe world--was at the center of that movement.
At the same time, and at the opposite end of the spectrum, werethose who made the leap from lifelong learning to lifelongschooling. Collapse of the almost-movement was inevitable.Educators in the workplace and in formal institutions of learningsought to shape minds, rather than free them. Consequently, adulteducation grew up alongside a practice that devalued learning fordemocratic action and stressed adaptation to the workplace,corporate America, and a consumer economy.
Perhaps nostalgia is a lingering desire to return to a past thatnever was, but many adult educators, including the authorsrepresented in this volume, have been attempting to reclaim theirbirthright--a critical but steadfast commitment to buildingdemocracy.
This is the 128th volume of the Jossey-Bass higher educationquarterly report series New Directions for Adult andContinuing Education. Noted for its depth of coverage,New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education isan indispensable series that explores issues of common interest toinstructors, administrators, counselors, and policymakers in abroad range of adult and continuing education settings, such ascolleges and universities, extension programs, businesses,libraries, and museums.
