Learning from Our Lives: Using Educational Biographies with Adults

by Pierre Dominice

Overview

"This book is refreshingly personal and studded with insightful case study examples. It is a timely and major contribution to the literature of adult education."
—Jack Mezirow, professor emeritus, Adult and Continuing Education, Teachers College, Columbia University

"A brilliant tribute to the value of teachers intentionally guiding students to sharpen what I believe Howard Gardner has named intrapersonal intelligence."
—Margaret Holt, assistant professor, University of Georgia, Athens

"A valuable contribution to the growing dialogue centering around narrative approaches to education, autobiographical learning, and ways in which autobiographical activities stimulate personal growth and transformative learning."
—Marsha Rossiter, associate director, Division of Continuing Education and Extension, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

This is the first professional guide to using educational biography with adult learners. It offers engaging anecdotes and narratives, insightful interpretations and analyses, and numerous examples of different biographical approaches. Written for practitioners who conduct adult educational programs in formal or informal settings, this book can help teachers, trainers, career counselors, and human resource professionals to empower learners in assuming greater responsibility for their education and development. Pierre Dominice draws valuable lessons from his work with educational biography to describe the multiple ways in which adults think and learn. His explorations help educators to stay focused on learning and not just teaching.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780787910310
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	07/31/2000
Series:	Higher and Adult Education Series
Edition description:	1 ED
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.28(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.82(d)

About the Author

PIERRE DOMINICE is professor of adult education at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. He is also president of the International Association of Life History Applied to Adult Education (ASIHUIF) and a member of the steering committee of the European Society for Research in the Education of Adults (ESREA).

Table of Contents

Learning as an Active Search for Meaning.

Understanding Biographical Approaches to Learning.

From Life History to Educational Biography.

How Adults Educate Themselves.

Exploring Adults' Ways of Thinking.

Learners' Needs, Motivations, and Dreams.

Helping Learners Put Words to Their Lives.

Giving Evaluation Another Meaning.

Conclusion: Creating Conditions for Successful Learning in Adult Life.

Editorial Reviews

"There is much emphasis these days on helping learners find their voice, encouraging diversity and using narratives to understand learner perspectives. Learning from Our Lives addresses these concerns. This book is refreshingly personal and studded with insightful case study examples. It is a timely and major contribution to the literature of adult education." (Jack Mezirow, professor emeritus, Adult and Continuing Education, Teachers College, Columbia University)

"'To thine own self be true.' Learning from Our Lives is a brilliant tribute to the value of teachers intentionally guiding students to sharpen what I believe Howard Gardner has named intrapersonal intelligence." (Margaret Holt, assistant professor, University of Georgia, Athens)

"Dominice confirms and articulates what adult educators have always known—the life experience of adult learners can be a reservoir of insight, a powerful motivator, and an integrating influence in the classroom. Learning from Our Lives offers a valuable contribution to the growing dialogue centering around narrative approaches to education, autobiographical learning, and ways in which autobiographical activities stimulate personal growth and transformative learning. It is a valuable resource for both program developers and teachers of adults." (Marsha Rossiter, associate director, Division of Continuing Education and Extension, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh)

From the Publisher

Educational biography is a new approach to helping adult learners understand what they already know, how and why they learned in the past, and what motivates them to pursue new educational opportunities. This guide to using the approach offers anecdotes and narratives, interpretations and analyses, and examples of different biographical approaches. Of interest to teachers, trainers, career counselors, human resource professionals, and others who conduct adult educational programs in formal and informal settings. The author teaches adult education at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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