Dennis Caballero Nov 27, 2016

MAIE-ET

Humanistic Approach in Education

Humanism

Derived from the Latin concept word humanitas meaning human nature, civilization and
kindness.
an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than
divine or supernatural matters. Commented [DC1]: something that can't be explained
by the laws of nature.
Education

Is all about learning the theory.

(Education is about opening up the experiences whereas training is closing down in the sense of not
doing it wrong.) John Dewey (1938)

Different Types of School-Teachers (David Hargreaves (1939))

Lion tamers they believe students are wild animals who dont want to learn, but who
can be made to learn-if you crack the whip hard enough.
Entertainers believe students dont want to learn. But they will if we can make it
enough fun.
New Romantics nave fools who believe students actually want to learn! The
humanists.
Humanistic Approach in Education
Is a paradigm/philosophical/pedagogical approach that believes learning is viewed as a
personal act to fulfill ones potential.
Focuses on the human freedom, dignity and potentials.
Also called a student-centered education where empathy, caring about students, and
genuineness on the part of the learning facilitator were found to be the key traits of the
most effective teachers.
Educators role is that of a facilitator.
Commented [DC2]: a model.
Commented [DC3]: relating or devoted to the study of
the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and
existence
Commented [DC4]: teaching
Commented [DC5]: an action
Commented [DC6]: having or showing the capacity to
become or develop into something in the future.
Commented [DC7]: the power or right to act, speak, or
think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
Commented [DC8]: aims to develop learner autonomy
and independence [1] by putting responsibility for the
learning path in the hands of students.[2][3][4] Student-
centered instruction focuses on skills and practices that
enable lifelong learning and independent problem-
solving.
Commented [DC9]: someone who engages in the
activity of facilitation. They help a group of people
understand their common objectives and assists them
to plan how to achieve these objectives; in doing so,
the facilitator remains "neutral" meaning he/she does
not take a particular position in the discussion.
Commented [DC10]: support everyone to do their best
thinking and practice
What Humanist educator believes?

They believe that it is necessary to study a person as a whole, especially an individual Commented [DC11]: All parts or aspects considered;
grows and develops over the lifespan. altogether:

It follows that the study of self, motivation and goals are areas of particular interest. Commented [DC12]: the general desire or willingness
They believe that students will be motivated to learn a subject if its something they of someone to do something

need and want to know.

Believes that grades are irrelevant and that only self-evaluation is meaningful. Commented [DC13]: inapplicable
Believe that both feelings and knowledge are important to learning process. Commented [DC14]: assessment or evaluation of
oneself or one's actions and attitudes, in particular, of
Goal of Humanistic Education one's performance at a job or learning task considered
in relation to an objective standard.
to contribute to the development of energetic, positive, self-respecting, caring human
Commented [DC15]: affective
beings who can meet all challenges.
Commented [DC16]: cognitive
the purpose of humanistic education is to provide a foundation for personal growth and
development so that learning will continue throughout life in a self-directed manner
(DeCarvalho, 1991)

History of Humanism

Has its roots in the Renaissance Philosopher who emphasized the study of humanities:
grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and moral philosophy.
Built upon Classical Model of Education.
Commented [DC17]: Classical education depends on
a three-part process of training the mind. The early
years of school are spent in absorbing facts,
systematically laying the foundations for advanced
study. In the middle grades, students learn to think
through arguments. In the high school years, they
learn to express themselves.

Philosopher of Humanistic Education

Abraham Maslow (1943) (need picture or hierarchy of needs and Maslow picture)
o Father of Humanistic Psychology
o Influenced beliefs regarding education methodology to a more humanistic
approach.
o Famous for proposing that human motivation is based on the Hierarchy of
Needs.
o Notable quote what a man can be, he must be. This need we call self-
actualization.
 Carl Rogers

o Developed of person-centered theory. Maybe very helpful in guiding students to

pursue their strengths.
o Much significant learning is acquired through DOING.
o a leading figure in the development of humanistic approaches to education
o He was discouraged by the emphasis on cognitivism in education rather
emphasized the inclusion of feelings and emotions in education.

Five Basic Principle of Humanistic Education (Gage and Berliner, 1991)

Student will learn best what they want and need to know.
o Humanistic teachers believe that students will be motivated to learn a subject if
its something they need and want to know.
Knowing how to learn is more important than acquiring a lot of knowledge.
o Students should be self-motivated in their studies and desire to learn on their Commented [DC18]: motivated to do or achieve
own. something because of one's own enthusiasm or
interest, without needing pressure from others.
Self-evaluation is the only meaningful evaluation of a students work.
Commented [DC19]: monitor and adjust instruction to
o Grading encourages students to work for a grade and not for personal
increase the learning of all students.
satisfaction.
Feeling are as important as facts.
o Unlike traditional educators, humanistic teachers do not separate the cognitive
and affective domains.
Students learn best in a non-threatening environment.
o Once students feel secure, learning becomes easier and more meaningful.

Approaches of Humanistic Learning Theory in Education

Open Classroom
o Student centered with focus on individual growth, critical thinking, and
commitment to lifelong learning.
Learning Styles
o Allow student to use a learning style that suits them.
Co-operative Learning
 o Students engage with one another in order to work towards a common goal.
Experimental Learning
o Learning from experience that addresses the needs and wants of the learner.

As described by Gage and Berliner (1991) there are five basic objectives of the humanistic view of
education:

1. promote positive self-direction and independence (development of the regulatory system);

2. develop the ability to take responsibility for what is learned (regulatory and affective systems);
3. develop creativity (divergent thinking aspect of cognition);
4. curiosity (exploratory behavior, a function of imbalance or dissonance in any of the systems);
and
5. An interest in the arts (primarily to develop the affective/emotional system).

Classroom Implications

STUDENTS TEACHER

Curriculum is up to the students. They Teachers would almost guide students

learn what they want to learn, when as they set off into their own
they want to learn it. It is based on educational journey to learn.
student will know what lessons will be Facilitating students would be the main
useful to them and which is just a role of teachers. Also being careful not
waste of time. to force what to learn but rather force
As long as students have a passion or wanting to learn something on the
drive to learn this theory becomes student is genuinely interested in.
easy for teachers.
Students that dont have that drive to
learn will either need to be push by a
teacher or parent or try another
teaching theory, because if students
dont want to learn they wont.
Humanistic school of thought

Show respect to students

Consideration of students needs, expectations, feelings, values
Accepting students as they are

Thing Happen in a Humanistic Classroom

Active learning strategies

Conflict of resolution
Incorporating whole class

Programs/ Practices

Individualized instructional process

Learning projects
Sensitivity training
Teacher effectiveness training
Active listening
Conflict resolution
Invitational learning
Values clarification
Moral education
Multiethnic educational approaches

Summary

Meaning: intellect distinguishes human from animals (Edwords, 1989)

What is reality: humans have potential and innate goodness
Nature of Humanness: autonomy, dignity, and freedom are sacred.
Educational aim: individual potentiality; self actualization
Educational methods: Facilitation; self direction; teamwork
Educational Content: Any curriculum is a vehicle for meeting needs
Main criticism: Important societal goals can be missed
Key proponents: Maslow, Knowles, Elias/Merriam, Tough
REFERENCES:

http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/affect/humed.html

http://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP4.html

http://www.slideshare.net/James.Atherton/humanistic-education-3335368?qid=128aecd3-718b-468c-
9c0c-eca42541ee2c&v=&b=&from_search=10

http://www.slideshare.net/nichkhunana24/humanistic-learning-theory-by-ana?qid=128aecd3-718b-
468c-9c0c-eca42541ee2c&v=&b=&from_search=1