Module 7: Personal Analysis and Philosophy
When I am casually asked what my adult education philosophy is, I typically respond by saying, “The class is not the thing.” It is a concise, albeit a little cheeky, but it truthfully encapsulates my approach to instruction. My lodestar is what happens outside of the classroom for my students. Prior to coming to class, I ask them what issues they are currently facing in their work environment that they want assistance with. During the class, I give them ample time to practice the skills that are being discussed in a safe setting. After they leave class, I follow-up with them to see how they have applied the learning and if it has helped. My focus is constantly on making what happens in the classroom relevant, practical, and applicable to the real-life needs of my students. Absent of those elements, even the most well-designed curriculum is pointless for all involved. One of the foundational pieces of my adult education philosophy, and why refrain from calling it my teaching philosoph
