The Profession and Practice of Adult Education

This book provides an overview of major dimensions of the adult education field and raises awareness of the critical issues and tensions inherent in its practice. Chapter 1 sketches the broad outlines of the field in terms of its definitions, major concepts, goals, and purposes. Chapter 2 explores the philosophical foundations of adult education. Chapter 3 examines how the history of the field has been approached and interpreted. Chapter 4 outlines three critical issues related to the foundations for adult education practice: whether to strive for unity, whether to align with the rest of education, and whether the primary focus of activity should be the individual or society. Chapter 5 outlines how agencies and organizations deliver formal adult education in the United States. Chapter 6 focuses on the learner--who participates, why, and what they study. Chapter 7 describes adult education in other parts of the world and conceptualizes international adult education as a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences. Chapter 8 focuses on issues related to the organization and delivery of adult education. Chapter 9 examines current aspects of the professionalization of adult education. Chapter 10 explores adult educators and learners out of the mainstream. Chapter 11 addresses tensions and issues related to the very different visions of adult education offered in Chapters 9 and 10. Appendixes include 547 references and name and subject indexes.

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