Adult education for social change by DrRobbins

Adult education for social change by DrRobbins https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku What are your take-aways from watching this interview? en-us 2018-10-29 02:16:54 UTC 2018-11-05 06:28:06 UTC hello@padlet.com Andrea Saldana https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/298834411 It is so interesting to me to see how a person as Miles Horton, who came from such humble beginnings, could become such an iconic agent of change in historic movements like civil rights and lead a revolution in social change and adult education as he did. I really appreciate what he said about “nothing will change until we change”, I think that this has such a profound and multitude of possibilities especially for adult education in different fields. I think much of the non profit organizations and populations I have worked with in the past are coming to learn for many of the same reasons that Miles Horton created his school and students came to learn there, to be able to take charge of their lives. I think Horton’s commitment to this education is extremely admirable, even after his school was destroyed and he was beaten, he continued to offer a space for learning and growth. I also liked what he said about Highlander folk school being an idea and not a place (“you can’t padlock an idea”), that they “believe in people” and using their experiences to learn, teach and analyze. I also like what Horton says about being able to teach people to deviate from the traditional teaching system which “prepare(s) people to fit into the system”, instead allowing them to learn from their experiences and use their costumes as well as add new ones. Horton’s ideas sound very progressive, especially when thinking about them in terms of 50’s and 60’s sentiment around segregation, racism and education. A very interesting video, glad to have been introduced to it! ]]> 2018-10-31 04:23:17 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/298834411 Cené Tamashiro tamashi5 https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/299251361 I thought this was really interesting. In terms of adult education I really liked that he said that with adults that you're looking at students with a past as opposed to children who are looking towards the future. I liked that he talked Horton talked about adult learners as the "common man" that is not really all that common. That Highlander was a place that just helps people learn things as opposed to a hierarchical system. He talked about having the ability to analyze their experiences. In terms of activism, I feel like the biggest take away is that we don't have to be from any particular background but it's the analysis of our experiences that forms us. This process of analysis helps us progress to new ways of thinking and new possibilities for the future.]]> 2018-11-01 05:50:25 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/299251361 Jiayu Zhao https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/299266426 Myles Horton is an extraordinary human being. His brilliance began where traditional concepts of education ended. He is a practical man, attuned to injustices and inequalities suffered by others, who recognized that not all people have access to and learn from traditional modes of education. Most adult educators recognize that adults come to educational programs with an ultimate goal of making a change for the better in their lives and the lives of those about whom they care. Reflection on these goals often brings to adults the understanding that individual change is inseparable from community change. Horton’s ideas and methods from Highlander
have facilitated and strengthened this change process and serve as a historical and modern-day testimony to the power of transformative education and its value for adult education practices. I think Horton is a true hero to human beings.]]> 2018-11-01 08:00:42 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/299266426 Carine Suacillo https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/299679190 The introduction made a really big impact on me especially the lines "Nothing will
change, until we change - until we throw off our dependence and act for ourselves." I think Myles Horton represents his ideology. He used what he has in order to empower others and did not let any difficulties or challenges hinder his goal. His thoughts about experiences and the adult learner are good take-aways. His story tells us that in order to create change we must learn from our experiences and we learn from it by analyzing it. Also, we have to be informed in order to make sound decisions and to know what is right and just. By being informed and learned through experiences, we'll begin to be more critical and see that conformity does not always mean good or beneficial. ]]> 2018-11-02 06:54:09 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/299679190 Alex Brookhart https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/299998169 I appreciate this video being a part of this module because I was not familiar with Myles Horton or his work. In regard to adult learning, Horton expresses the role experiences play and the importance of adults learning how to understand and transform their experiences as well as how to analyze their learning. This along with Horton's ability to help adults look within and discover the courage to confront reality and change it are key in adult education as a form of action towards social change. By providing adult learners with the space to do things that don't fit into a system, affirming their experiences, and giving them the tools, mentoring and education for success and change, adult education is a form of activism. ]]> 2018-11-02 21:39:10 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/299998169 Adam J. Meyers https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300010366 This was a really fascinating interview with Myles Horton, who comes up a fair amount about course classes for adult education. Hearing the rationale, philosophy and mission of the Highlander school in his own words made it feel more "real" than any of the readings in the past. It's easy to mythologize what you read about regarding past action and events, and how it feels so foreign from today's world. At times it feels as if most individuals have submitted to the conformity into society that Horton denounces in this interview. So many individuals experience our modern age of frustration at unjust conditions, and wonder what can be done. Meanwhile, the same forces that fought against Horton and the Highlander school live on, using new shades to present old arguments, most of it tacitly approved by everyone who has fallen into a comfortable status quo. Thus, if we want to be somewhat realistic, using the power of adult education to help affect social change in a radical, democratic manner is always going to be an uphill battle. It was certainly a more imposing one when Horton and the Highland School started. We live in a much different time, with new forms of social connections that can either help break down barriers, or, unfortunately, create new ones. Educators who seek to use adult education to spur social activism face a new reality of intense polarization, fuzzy information, and a world of deepening wealth inequality. Horton and those who learned from him showed that education can have a massive social impact on changing the lives of anyone. The barriers are always there, in some form. The right educators are needed to show their students the best direction for overcoming all of these barriers, now more than ever. ]]> 2018-11-02 22:56:56 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300010366 Cindy Zhang https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300029073 Myles Horton was an inspirational character in the filed of education since the 50s. Horton was not only known for its important role during the Civil Rights Movement, but he was an influential character which impacted many prominent leaders for many decades. Furthermore, Horton emphasized on the power of education along with the challenges many educational programs face. In terms of the impact of adult education, Horton's personal experience while growing up encouraged and empowered him in establishing such strong foundation for adult learners in the midst of social change through education. In addition, the Highlander school was dedicated to provide educational approaches as a form of solving social problems. All in all, Horton was an incredible individual who was also a pioneer in pushing for social reform or barriers through the approach of adult education system.]]> 2018-11-03 03:43:15 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300029073 Measovannary Pen https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300127833 H]]> 2018-11-04 01:31:42 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300127833 Alli Botelho https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300134323 I found this video intriguing as I was not familiar with the work that Myles Horton did and learned a lot from this interview. I think that it was interesting to hear from him and learn about the reasoning behind what he did. He emphasized what learning means especially in the context of adult education. A quote that stood out to me was, “Our loyalty is to people not institutions or structures… You don’t teach people things that are adults. You help them learn.” I think that this embodies what adult learning means and how it is important to help individuals learn by knowing what learning means for them in order to guide them along the learning process. Horton also emphasized how past experiences make a huge impact in adult education. It is essential to provide adults with the opportunity to analyze, build off of, and possibly transform these experiences. Horton is passionate about not having individuals fit into this system that society lays out and instead providing a space where adult learners can learn from their experiences as well as be provided with tools of how to be successful. Horton’s work with Highlander is an example of how adult education can be a catalyst for democratic social change as it challenged what education was about at that time. ]]> 2018-11-04 03:51:28 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300134323 Measovannary Pen https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300255378 Hello Everyone,
When I checked again yesterday, the information I have here didn't appear, and it won't let me delete it to repost my reflection; I had to use a different computer to do this; here it is:

First of all, thank you, Professor, for sharing this video; I've haven't seen it, but I truly appreciate it; Horton brought up many wonderful ideas and concepts that are not foreign at all; it amazes me on how the Highlander School provided trainings for social welfare as if it was a school of thought; I guess it is like a school of thought. It's interesting what Horton said about they can't padlock the school because Highlander/idea can't be locked up. I also thought it is true to help adult learns/to analyze/critique their experiences in order to make something from/transforms it.

I think adult education is important, and it has the potential to bring social change. I think for ESL adult students, it would be important to educate them about critical perspectives of social events/the truth about American's history. I remembered when I tutored ESL students and shared with them about the history of America, they seemed surprised because they were told the truth a certain things/ways they see in society. For example, last year the President implemented deportation, which upset and forced many students to leave the country when the country was based on overtaking the territory of Native Americans. I think if we try/seek to educate/inform adults about historical contexts/events, they can use their experience/s of "just and unjust" to bring about social justice and change. I think it is important to provide this truth and the discussions around this/these topics. If no change has been brought right away, the students will learn the tool/s to think and analyze for themselves.

Thank you,
Mea

]]> 2018-11-04 21:56:43 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300255378 Lydia Chi https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300287061 I think this interview with Myles Horton is very inspiriting. I’ve never heard of him before, and I’m glad I get to learn about him. Myles Horton is such a legend in his role in the Civil Right Movement and he positively influence the era which leads to the society we live in now. I learn the importance of activism in adult education because each person is unique and creative. Each individual has own belief and value and people can gain knowledge through their own experiences and other people’s experiences. The society should be a free-thinking society where the adults should have the ability and courage to confront reality and take actions towards a beneficial social change. As Myles Horton stated, “Nothing will change until we change it, be independent and act ourselves.” We should do things because we believe in it and because it is right, but not because of any reward or punishment. “Nobody should have their rights interfered with as long as they are attending to their own business.” Understanding how to transform the experiences, reflect/analyze the learning and able to critical think are very important in adult learning.

]]> 2018-11-05 01:48:54 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300287061 Nicolas Lee https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300291154 I think this video is quite interesting and a very important and unique snapshot into a past time that shows how the ideas of todays movements like being anti-capitalist and systematic oppression are not new things and that these ideas are important and have been around much longer than the 21st century. I think for Adult Education, these ideas are ones that can invoke strong social change and activism if this knowledge is shared and we invest in ourselves to grow and learn from each other. Especially when it comes to the idea of individualistic success and "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps." These ideas further look to divide individuals and emphasize that you must succeed on your own and otherwise means you failed or are incapable. Being together as a group and further using each to learn and grow as adults can have strong impacts and cans push for social and societal change. ]]> 2018-11-05 02:14:43 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300291154 This was my first time learning about the work of Myles Horton and the Highlander Folks School. I think this video is very interesting. It made me think about the role he had in empowering such historically iconic individuals such as Rosa Parks. Especially with him being a white male from the south with such a passion to empower adults to take their life experiences and transform those into knowledge and learning. Horton really emphasesd indpenent thinking that was radically different than the traditional education system back in the 30's and 40's. He created a space to give those of lower SES to express themselves and help others through the means of peer education. I think one idea from Horton that stuck with me the loyalty to people not the structures. He knew at the core the structures of education even way back then were socially corrupt. In this manner, adult learning became a form of activism because people during this point of history were told to resist those disagreed with them but Horton gave these people the opportunity to push back with knowledge and power. stafnem https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300299776 2018-11-05 03:14:53 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300299776 Izzy Wroblewski https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300306838 What an interesting scholar. I remember learning about the Highlander center before and the name sound familiar but it was great to hear him talk. This interview brought to light a lot of ideas that many liberals are strongly behind today. He was a man ahead of his time. I really enjoyed with the commentary he opened with about adult learners as people with valuable experiences that are needed to understand the world. I also liked the way he talked about untapped potential and that adults have these experiences that they just do not yet know how to synthesize, and once they get that tool, the opportunity to become grassroots leaders is realized. I also love the way he talked about educational systems and how they prepare students for whatever type of regime they live in. This is a powerful take on education that I often forget. I often joke about being a slave to capitalism, but if ideas are liberated and slightly simplified, that is what people in American are trained to be! YIKES!
I also loved learning more about Myles' personal experience of finding himself through the questioning of religion, communism, and his time with leaders in the seminary. Learning more about leaders past, helps to understand the why in the work they are doing along with the way they find the how, especially in life changing and radical work being done through programs like H ighlander! ]]> 2018-11-05 04:04:45 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300306838 Will Radcliffe https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300312584 This was a fantastic video. Not only was Myles a radical member for adult learning, he was also pioneering the Civil rights manage, despite being from the South himself. His Christian + liberal mindset was one that challenged the notion of how education should be run. He seemed really down to earth with his approach, and empowers adults to learn, and to have educators to be facilitators. He makes it clear that there are educational definencies that need to be address. Certainly ahead of his time and gave the foundation of postmodern educational thought!

]]> 2018-11-05 04:49:26 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300312584 Matthew LeBleu https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300319038 I really enjoyed watching this video, and just looking back into history and how difficult life was for most people. Just hearing everything they did to him (taking his home from him and selling it), the KKK burning down his building, and being called an bad person just because he wanted people to fulfill themselves; to be treated like everyone else; teaching people to stand up for what is right. I found it interesting that he states "you don't teach people things, they are adults, you help them learn. As far as you help people learn, then you can help." I also love how he spoke to every individual to see what they knew from their life experiences so they could apply it to the subject matter, and using it as a building stone. He really is an inspiration and should be an inspiration to all educators, he truly is a great educator. His purpose, well, Highlanders purpose was just to make people more powerful, and more capable in their work and lives -- he saw potential in people and was shunned for it. ]]> 2018-11-05 05:36:09 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300319038 Alexander Tang alexxtango https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300324428 This video was interesting because this man put two concepts together and found a school that mildly offended white people from what was seen as the "norm". I really like what he said when his school was padlocked-- "you cannot padlock an idea". I am wondering if
this had happened in contemporary times, whether or not the state trooper would had been violent towards him for saying that in response. I also liked how he made a point about teaching
adults as well as teaching children, and the stark differences. Adults have experiences they usually stay with, but can learn new concepts or different ways of thinking to alter what they already know. Despite his religious background, he was able to really stretch his thinking by allowing what was seen as "abnormal" to others who were practicing Catholics. His school seemed to have changed a lot of people's mindsets, especially the man who tried to open a church to even Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. It is a shame that even senators attacked him for what he tried to do for adults, but it is also impressive at the same time Myles Horton could allow a school to prosper to continue teaching adults and altering the way to think through adult education.]]> 2018-11-05 06:20:43 UTC https://padlet.com/robbinst6/hlh60yf2e3ku/wish/300324428