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I apologize for going on a bit of a tangent here -- and/or repeating information you already know -- but I have to point out the parallel between the progression involved in the transformational learning model and the concept introduced by T. Kuhn in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962).   I only read this book because I had several professors mention it (independently) when I was in college. Kuhn introduced the idea of paradigm shifts (in the scientific field) by point out that the evolution of scientific theories was less a matter of accumulating more data in a linear fashion as it was of periodic upheaval in the way scientists interpreted data. This book had a huge affect on my concept of learning. I've seen it play out in my life both academically and personally. One brief example: I attended a lecture/discussion when I was an undergrad (1980s?) about diversity and how to promote inclusion on my mostly white campus. There was an 'Aha' moment during the discussion that changed my awareness of the language I use to think and talk about this issue. Someone in the audience was making a comment about how to make "them" feel more included... and the responded immediately pointed out how using words like "them" is part of the problem because it reveals that in our minds we are still thinking in terms of 'us' and 'them' instead of 'we.' Wow that made me stop and reconsider my perspective.

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I know that we all engage in self-directed learning, but until I met my husband, I don't think I ever knew anyone who is continuously combing through the internet (or friends) to solve problems or inform himself -- for professional as well as personal reasons.  As a self-employed contractor who builds decks and flips houses, he is always investigating new tools and technologies.  He would NEVER just throw out or replace a tool without first trying to repair it.  One example, when he had borrowed a bobcat to grade the steep hillside next door, something happened to one of the wheels. I don't remember if it went flat, or got stuck, but it had to be fixed. He had never done it before, but he pulled out his phone, looked it up on youtube, and had fixed the problem within an hour. Worth noting is that he has confidence not just in his skill with tools, but in his ability to read complex text and teach himself. The need to solve an immediate problem was all the motivation he needed to find the information and teach himself. Another example is that he wanted to build a round deck but has never done it or known anyone who does it. (I don't think it's very common). Just a few weeks ago, he did some research and manufactured a makeshift process for heating and shaping the manufactured deck planks (made of recycled plastic). I know he does it for fun -- but it also adds to the repertoire he can offer customers.

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I have found for myself that Self  Directed Learning is my life long journey. When I discover a need or desire to learn about a topic I search out the books and programs that offer a challenge.
In refection, I had great aspirations as high school student but was put in the track of business. The counselor indicated that I was not college bound. I did well with my business studies but as soon as I graduated I searched out a Cosmetology program and worked in that field until as an adult (34) I decided to follow my dream. I always wanted to go to college because my desire was to be a teacher since I was in third grade. I have been an elementary teacher, District literacy specialist, and Instructional Coach for the last 28 years. I have a Doctorate in Teaching and Learning. Who would have thought I could write a dissertation.
I strongly believe in providing  encouragement for every person to succeed in life. Not just to live life but to thrive as they follow their dreams.

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Family matters- My sister is a great example. She had not graduated from high school and found herself needing to get a job to help the family. She had the internal motivated to get her GED but needed encouragement and support in searching out the steps. From past volunteer experience she knew she want to work with the elderly. Her goal was to get her CNA so she could work in a nursing home. We found a close site for her to go to an ABE class to attain her GED. This created positive motivation and in no time she took her test and passed. Then she  moved on to her CNA classes and worked for 20 years in a nursing home.

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Obviously issues of racial equity didn't just begin this summer, but it seems that a lot of adults have become more aware of these issues recently. I am cautiously optimistic that we are living through a time of major transformational learning at the societal level. (Elizabeth)

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Self-directed learning is the theory that resonates the most for me personally. I have joked that my go-to strategy for any problem I encounter is to find a book. And as Noelle mentioned, the internet--especially Youtube--has become an amazing resource for adults looking to learn just about anything. I do like classes and "formal" education, but most of the time I'm very satisfied to find my own resources and read and reflect at my own pace. (Elizabeth)

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Most of my adult learning is self-directed, but I feel it most strongly in this time of COVID-19. With the role of educators changing over night, most of use were left to our own devices to figure out...devices :) Our district offered live video tutorials, written instructions, and pre-recorded videos to help us learn all the new platforms. As a learner, I knew my goal (become proficient in the platform in 2 weeks) and then was allowed to decide how I would get myself to proficiency. (Sophie)

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My best experience with transformational learning happened between 2016-2018. I worked for a non-profit educational program called Centers of Excellence. For 2 years, we contracted with Calvin Terrell to hold quarterly PD around equity and systemic racism in schools. These were messy years of growth that led to a "total shift of consciousness." The old beliefs and implicit biases I'd carried all my life were challenged and I left that job completely changed from when I started. I'm so grateful for those years and the transformational learning that took place. (Sophie)

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Calvin Terrell transforms pain into power and haunts into healing. Surviving violences, losing loved ones to addictions, murder, white supremacy, and misogyny, as well as owning his own prejudices and role in oppression, compels Calvin's service. Calvin is founder/director of Social Centric Institute, a non-profit he built to educate anyone and everyone to be healers of historical trauma around racial intersections, class, religion, gender, and environmental disruption. For more than 25 years, Calvin has engaged every demographic throughout the US in historical trauma healing processes. His approaches draw from many technologies that are colonial, decolonized, and indigenous.

For his dedication to human rights, Calvin's been awarded with honors from faith, educational, civic, and activist organizations, as well as government institutions, including the city of Phoenix year 2000 Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. "Living the Dream" Award. The demand of his services prompted organizations such as Harpo Inc., Oprah Winfrey's production company to contract Calvin to train executive producers, coach various members of the production team, and assist in their transition to the "O" network. He was also honored to be a contributing consultant in designing the Muhammed Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Most recently, the Obama Foundation sought Calvin's collaboration with regards to community empowerment.

Calvin challenges the privileged to abandon fragile pedestals of inconsiderate obliviousness, while he encourages the oppressed to remember their power developed from surviving historical unfairness. He invites all to abandon identity superstitions and materialistic traditions, so humanity can meet and collaborate on a healing field of justice waiting for cultivation. His greatest achievements are marriage, fatherhood, and a relationship with the infinite power that fashioned the stars. Calvin is not a democrat, nor a republican, a libertarian or anarchist; he is soul experiencing black membership of the human race. Calvin helps all remember their power and he doesn't care what you think or feel about him, but he loves you!

Activist Artist Educator Healer

As an activist, artist, coach, consultant, speaker, and trainer who connects with all identities to confront deep issues in relevant ways, Calvin designs experiences, as well as curriculum, specific to the needs of communities or organizations. Stay tuned for his books and curriculum with regards to racial healing.

People gain meaningful depth of understanding on how "hurt people hurt people." They are inspired to remember "open hearts open hearts"

Back in the day, people would get together to listen to "records," be it music, comedy, or storytelling. You don't need Calvin "with you" to use his TEDx talk. Get people together in your home, dorm room, classroom, faith group meeting, backyard, or team retreat to "unpack" the concepts he drops in 10min. Stop it to discuss "peace" by piece, rewind to RE-SPECT or listen again, look up words or ideas, communicate and investigate with an intention to be part of the healing. Every word, voice inflection, and gesture he expresses is intentional, be sure to avoid superficially engaging this. Give yourself permission to assume or infer to find the deeper meaning behind every phrase. Use this as a tool "wherever you are..."

Click here to download curriculum Calvin designed to accompany his talk and enhance learning.

Click here to investigate a potent list of books, video, and other resources for service to healing and justice.

Calvin's powerful approaches and wealth of knowledge move individuals, groups, and organizations beyond

the superficial or what's typical.

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Calvin Terrell transforms pain into power and haunts into healing. Surviving violences, losing loved ones to addictions, murder, white supremacy, and misogyny, as well as owning his own prejudices and role in oppression, compels Calvin's service.

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My students in the correctional facility have seen the world in a different light than most and I take care that I don’t rush them through anything, be it learning or something else. I implement the Transformational learning theory by listening to their woes, sympathizing with them and making them feel part of the system before I delve into the learning part. I involve the whole class in the listening so everyone learns from each other’s experiences and there are healthy discussions. These discussions encourage detailed thinking and open viewpoints that come from the variety of experiences. I have personally felt that this approach helps a long way in the learning of the actual GED subjects. (Mandeep)

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I am presently teaching adults of multiple levels in my class and helping them prepare for their GED. The adults I teach have been in the outside world before landing up in the correctional facility and have varied skill levels and specific requirements and interests. I use the Andragogy theory by orienting my teaching to cater to their needs and split the students into small groups that target those needs and makes it easier for me to explain why a group is going through certain materials. Occasionally I take on a student on a one-on-one basis who needs that special attention to get a start in learning. Most of the students get different packets of homework based on their progress level and this also dictates the fact that even though the students join the class at the same time, they all get their GED at different times. (Mandeep)

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I was born and raised in Pakistan and attended school from KG to college there. When I moved to the US at the age of 21 I had to unlearn so many already acquired educational skills. We, as Pakistani students about two decades ago(things are different now hopefully), were not taught how to do research or read a text critically. We were used to the traditional passive learning style. We read all the relevant texts but reproduced them instead of analyzing them. We hand wrote all the papers and assignments. There was no concept of presentations or creating thoughtful projects. Getting adjusted to the new system without much support was a struggle. And, I am here now!!!

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One of my professors that I had while studying in China was a famous philosophy professor who was imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution in the 1970's.  He was a very traditional teacher and came across as very powerful and confident.  The unique thing about him was that he spoke English word by word (rather than in phrases) with very unusual pronunciation.  After class one day, I stopped to ask him how he had learned English.  He told me that he wanted to share the story with the entire class, so I would have to wait until the next day.

At the start of class the next day, the professor began class by saying that he wanted to share his story about learning English with us, but he wanted to tell it in Chinese, so he would be using an English interpreter for the class session.

Mr. Liu began by telling us about how he was traumatized during the Cultural Revolution because he was an intellectual and eventually was imprisoned at a notorious prison in the city.  He was regularly beaten, forced to work on a farm, and went without food and warm clothing.  Eventually one of his guards became friendly towards Mr. Liu and offered to bring him one book.  Mr. Liu found the guard to be trustworthy and asked that an English-Chinese dictionary be brought to him.  During the six years he was imprisoned, Mr. Liu memorized the dictionary, both the pronunciation of the English words which were written in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and the definitions which were written in both English and Chinese.

Mr. Liu had a very impressive vocabulary and could use the English language pretty well once his listeners had become familiarized with his pronunciation. I find that this is an amazing and powerful example of self-directed learning as Mr. Liu himself became the teacher and the learner. (Jill T)

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Some of my most important learning experiences as an adult occurred while I was studying abroad in the People's Republic of China.  My main goal in studying in China was to improve my Chinese language skills, learn more about the culture, and see how I could survive in a new society.  The professor who had the greatest impact on me was also a very well-know calligrapher.  He often invited me and several other students to his home on Saturday mornings to teach us calligraphy, but it soon became apparent that he really was teaching us about Chinese history and culture by breaking down the simplified characters into parts (often referred to as radicals) and then sharing the story of each radical with us.  This learning was transformational for me because I finally learning the foundational system for reading and writing in modern-day Chinese.  I still remember those stories very well, and they have helped me understand and remember the beauty of the Chinese language. (Jill T)

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Almost all adult learners have a lot of demands on their time and energy (jobs, children, partners, physical and mental health, housing...just to name a few).  When they come to ABE, they really want to see results!  Get the GED, raise the test score, get into the training program, be able to talk to my child's teacher, write a resume and get hired, get promoted, and so on. They are self-motivated, but external pressures definitely play a role, too. Learners want to see a clear connection between their class work and their success outside of class. I have to make content relevant! (Elizabeth)

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As a self directed learner, I pursue areas of inquiry. I have been amazed by people who take the reins of their own educational paths and become experts at what they  want to learn. Teaching at Summer Academy I met young people who were undeniable experts at subjects ranging from the Periodic Table to absolutely every dinosaur ever discovered. There are adults who send for the State Electricians Handbook, learn it, and take the State Electrical licensing test.  As an Adult Learner instructor, I am so motivated to learn how best to facilitate this dynamic of Self-directed Learning. I want to learn how to be a guide and resource for adults as I have been for children during my elementary teaching career. (Marcia K.)

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As a self directed learner, I pursue areas of inquiry. I have been amazed by people who take the reins of their own educational paths and become experts at what they  want to learn. Teaching at Summer Academy I met young people who were undeniable experts at subjects ranging from the Periodic Table to absolutely every dinosaur ever discovered. There are adults who send for the State Electricians Handbook, learn it, and take the State Electrical licensing test.  As an Adult Learner instructor, I am so motivated to learn how best to facilitate this dynamic of Self-directed Learning. I want to learn how to be a guide and resource for adults as I have been for children during my elementary teaching career. (Marcia K.)

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Two books were transformational for me. The first was James W. Loewen's Lies My Teacher Told Me and the second was Colin Woodard's American Nations. As a white person growing up in the United States, I was unaware of White Privilege, even as I lived the benefits of this racist aspect of our country. "Blind patriotism, mindless optimism, sheer misinformation, outright lies": the Loewen book started me on a path of questioning what I had taken for granted and I am still on that journey. Being a teacher has helped me be part of walking the other way on the moving walkway, and questioning assumptions. Woodard's book examines regional cultures of North America and helps explain why Americans have such a difficult time agreeing on issues facing us as a country.  Both these books were revelations to me and caused me to change in foundational ways. (Marcia K.) 

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Two books were transformational for me. The first was James W. Loewen's Lies My Teacher Told Me and the second was Colin Woodard's American Nations. As a white person growing up in the United States, I was unaware of White Privilege, even as I lived the benefits of this racist aspect of our country. "Blind patriotism, mindless optimism, sheer misinformation, outright lies": the Loewen book started me on a path of questioning what I had taken for granted and I am still on that journey. Being a teacher has helped me be part of walking the other way on the moving walkway, and questioning assumptions. Woodard's book examines regional cultures of North America and helps explain why Americans have such a difficult time agreeing on issues facing us as a country.  Both these books were revelations to me and caused me to change in foundational ways. (Marcia K.) 

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One of the videos we watched identified Andragogy as "Facilitating, or "Guide on the side". (Rebecca J. Hogue). From what I have learned, an analogy to the teacher of adult learners might be the conductor of a symphony orchestra as a 'guide on the side'. This job of teaching adult learners requires enough knowledge and training that you would appear to be merely facilitating, when the reality is that the components are really quite complex: coordinating an adult learner's need to know, prior learning experience, readiness to learn, motivation and orientation to learn, and allowing for self-direction AS WELL AS the subject content and learning activities, and scope and sequence. Plus! As an adult learner myself, I want to continuously improve my craft through skill development. I am intimidated by this task and excited too. (Marcia K.)

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One of the videos we watched identified Andragogy as "Facilitating, or "Guide on the side". (Rebecca J. Hogue). From what I have learned, an analogy to the teacher of adult learners might be the conductor of a symphony orchestra as a 'guide on the side'. This job of teaching adult learners requires enough knowledge and training that you would appear to be merely facilitating, when the reality is that the components are really quite complex: coordinating an adult learner's need to know, prior learning experience, readiness to learn, motivation and orientation to learn, and allowing for self-direction AS WELL AS the subject content and learning activities, and scope and sequence. Plus! As an adult learner myself, I want to continuously improve my craft through skill development. I am intimidated by this task and excited too. (Marcia K.)

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I am thinking of my citizenship class students as one example. I'll mention one student here. She was a 45 year old immigrant from Ethiopia in the US. She was driven and was very motivated to be ready for her citizenship test. Based on her past experiences as an immigrant in the US she knew the importance of meeting her goal of clearing the citizenship test in her first attempt so that she could work and vote. We made a plan together to prepare for her test and interview. After 6 weeks of collaborative work she passed her exam!

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John Dewey and other education pioneers introduced the progressive and constructivist learning theories which promote learning centered teaching that treats knowledge as a social and relational process of meaning construction that empowers students to pursue learning ignited by their own curiosity, drive, motivation, intellectual strengths and insights as a driving force to learn rather than being instructed. I have seen the positive outcome of this in my GED and ELL classrooms in which the students learn in a safe environment. In order to establish  learner centered teaching and learning environment the teacher has to make sure that the students feel respected and encouraged.
Students become interested in learning when they find their classroom experience helpful in navigating their real life struggles.
Masooma Naqvi.

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My students have clearly expressed the need to know why they are having to learn what I am teaching. I have heard the following same question from many of the students, "Why do I have to learn this?" Before I even begin a lesson I explain why I am teaching the material. For example, many of my students have limited vocabulary and don't care to read. Every class period I make sure that we are reading something. Twice a week we read chapters of a book we have selected and the other days I am having them read either a reading passage or the newspaper and I tell them why it's important to be able to read things like the newspaper and to be able to understand things like how to read and complete a job application.

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I have found in my classroom that my students like time each day to learn individually. The first hour of class I present material to them and then the second hour of class they have packets that they work on based on the curriculum that was discussed in the first hour. The first hour gives them context and then the second hour they can utilize what they heard and apply the information through the assignment materials.

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Duolingo. Craftsy. The Great Courses. Khan Academy. Udemy. TED. The digital age has advanced self-directed learning to the degree that any learner with a device and wifi can progress, independent of brick-and-mortar facilities and unreliably funded programs. With the advent of online options, self-directed learners have myriad opportunities to educate themselves, instead of needing to access a single teacher during a prescribed time in a set location. While asynchronous online learning has its benefits, the downside is lack of technology, undeveloped digital literacy, and the vitality of face-to-face interaction. That said, I read the material for this post on an airplane at 6:30am. The benefits of online self-directed learning are indisputable. (Noelle)

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I didn't start college until my mid-twenties, having graduated high school in the mid-eighties. The relevance is that my formal schooling included celebrating Christopher Columbus as an explorer who discovered the Americas, which were uninhabited. <I know, right? We've come so far.> One day my professor walked into class wearing a version of this t-shirt. The saying is almost passe now, but then - my mind was blown. The shirt's graphic was the launching point for a class discussion not on history, but on its writing: who gets to write it, what is written about, what is excluded, and how are the stories framed. The word "transformational" was nowhere in the syllabus, but the way I thought about myself and my world was permanently changed.
(Noelle)

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Our students at RCCF are mainly self-directed learners. They choose how much effort they want to put into school; if they want to come to class, work on the computer or on paper assignments. They set their own goals of where they want to end up when they are released. Our teachers help guide them, but ultimately their school experience is up to them; they get out as much as they put in to it. (Angie)

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My current school experience is a great example of andragogy. I decided to get an ABE certificate because it is something that I will need to advance in my career. I had been working towards becoming a probation officer, when a school instructor position opened up. My prior experience of working with our teachers and in the learning center has helped me realize this is something I would want to do.  It's another way of helping our clientele without having to violate them; it's much more rewarding. My Motivation and Readiness to learn more about ABE come with my need to want to get the job.
I have always done well in school, but I am a procrastinator.  My Orientation to learning has changed with this course load though.  I'm trying to get everything done at work while I have time, so I start on things much earlier then I normally would.  Getting this job is important to me and my future, so doing well in these courses is very important.(Angie)

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Give a concrete example of how an element of 'andragogy' has played out for you or for a student or another fellow adult! Hit the 'plus sign' to make a new box under any column. This is where you can share a comment/story/example! You can add a link, file, or just words...get creative!

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Give a concrete example of how an element of 'andragogy' has played out for you or for a student or another fellow adult! Hit the 'plus sign' to make a new box under any column. This is where you can share a comment/story/example! You can add a link, file, or just words...get creative!