Portfolio for Carol Donlon, Adult Learning Facilitator
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    • My Teaching Philosophy
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  • Theoretical Foundations
    • Book Reviews
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    • Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Adult Education and Training
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Mentors
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Throughout my Adult Education and Training journey I have been introduced to a number of scholars who have greatly impacted my own teaching and learning.

I have mentioned some of them with the Book Reviews. Throughout this page, I will highlight some of additional scholars who have had a major influence on my thinking, learning and teaching.


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In the 1990's, I was struggling to teach young adults in the same way that I was taught using a traditional, pedagogical approach. In searching for guidance, I enrolled in the Teacher of Adults program at Centennial College in Toronto Ontario.

I was introduced to the concept of Andragogy and Malcolm Knowles and I had a transformational learning experience. I transformed my teaching style from pedagogical to andragogical and became a Facilitator. I continue to use and further develop my craft using the principles outlined by Malcolm Knowles.

Below you will find a link to a power point of a Portrait of Malcolm Sheppard Knowles.

malcolm_shepher_knowles.pptx
File Size: 138 kb
File Type: pptx
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Eduard Lindeman and his writings in The Meaning of Adult Education (1926) influenced the work of Malcolm Sheppard Knowles. I completely agree with Lindeman that education has the power to instill change and self-improvement.

You may review a short piece about Lindeman that I have written as a collaborative project for a class wiki by using the link below.

eduard_lindeman.docx
File Size: 22 kb
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Jack Mezirow's writings about Transformational Learning have influenced my own teaching. Like myself, Mezirow believes in the power of education to promote change.

Transformational Learning involves reflecting on a disorienting experience that prompts us to change our beliefs or assumptions and consider new perspectives. In my teaching I attempt to utilize activities and learner reflection to promote Transformational Learning. I also aim to provide a safe environment, use critical questioning that promotes critical thinking, and act as a role model who shares her own transformational learning.

Below you will find a link to a website that I collaborated on to assist others in understanding the Transformational Learning Process. I have also provided a sample of my own transformational learning.


http://transformationalearning.weebly.com/conditionspractices-to-promote-transformational-learning.html

tranformational_learning_example_for_web_page.docx
File Size: 14 kb
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Howard McClusky's work and writings on the Theory of Margin were enlightening and had an impact on how I design instruction. His work resonated with my own experiences and have promoted a deeper understanding of adult learning.

Below you may read about how I have utilized McClusky's Theory of Margin as it relates to positive aging. I was able to utilize his knowledge to better design instruction that promotes positive aging, which you can review with my SHARP workshop under Instructional Design.


theory_of_margin_and_the_value_of_education_for_older_adults.docx
File Size: 207 kb
File Type: docx
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As a result of my course work, readings, discussion with colleagues and, reflection on my teaching, many theories and best practices were brought into consciousness.

There is a Buddhist proverb that states, "when the student is ready the teacher will appear". I have found throughout the last few years of my educational and teaching journey, I hear the words of many of the scholars, teachers and colleagues who have influenced how I design and facilitate instruction.

In the Facilitation subpage of the Professional Experience section, I provided a sample of a workshop that I developed entitled Networking Your Way to Work. Below you will find a narrative of how fifteen theorists influenced the design of this workshop as I applied their theories.


learning_theories_behind_the_activities_in_networking_your_way_to_work.docx
File Size: 19 kb
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