I learnt a new word today — Gerontology — which means the study of old folks, what it is like to get old, and the kind of problems one can expect. There is a lot of focus, these days, on the number of aging Baby Boomers and concerns about negative impacts (health care systems, care givers, etc.). All this negative focus could prove un-motivational.
I did some digging into the subject of the adult learner from middle age to the seventies.
Good to be reminded of the research showing we have capacity to learn, change, and improve throughout our lives. So, plenty of reasons to be optimistic. I believe hearing this in our daily lives would be motivational.
Good to be reminded of the research showing we have capacity to learn, change, and improve throughout our lives. So, plenty of reasons to be optimistic. I believe hearing this in our daily lives would be motivational.
In 1955 “Education for Later Maturity” was the first book ever to be published on education for adults as they age by author Wilma Donahue (Hiemstra, R., 1998 p.7). Many others followed in her footsteps including Howard Yale McClusky who spent much of his career promoting the positive, capable side of aging adults, and the prospects in regard to education, here is an overview of his theory:
McClusky’s categories of needs (1971):
1. Coping - minimal literacy and self-sufficiency levels
2. Expressive - involved in activities for the sake of the pleasure experienced
3. Contributive - altruistic desire to serve others
4. Influence - desire to affect the direction and quality of life
5. Transcendence - rising above age-related limitations
This theory is best visualized as a formula (McClusky, 1963):
1. Coping - minimal literacy and self-sufficiency levels
2. Expressive - involved in activities for the sake of the pleasure experienced
3. Contributive - altruistic desire to serve others
4. Influence - desire to affect the direction and quality of life
5. Transcendence - rising above age-related limitations
This theory is best visualized as a formula (McClusky, 1963):
Margin = load
power
What that all boils down to is: All those aging Baby Boomers will soon have more time on their hands with energy left over. Energy, that used to go towards providing for their families and careers (load) can now be directed (power) to learning for the joy of it, sharing their experience and sage advice (power) = High (margin) for success!
One, good way is by attending ElderCollege (free tuition) affordable way to expand their horizons on topics of interest.
References:
Hiemstra, R. (1998). From whence have we come? The first twenty-five years of educational gerontology. New Directions For Adult & Continuing Education, 1998(77), 5.
North Island College ElderCollege Courses in Campbell River. Retrieved from
June 12, 2016
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