Sharan Merriam - Role of Adult Education

Role of Adult Education

Adults in education have the rights and responsibilities to harmonize these contrasting perspectives between the Westernized world and the non-Western. Merriamsuggests five roles that will create beneficial and enriched learning environments. These five activities are relatively simple and allow for cultural exchanges and global awareness to flourish. The five activities suggested by Merriam and colleagues include; create space and listen to voices, adopt a critical stance, attend to policy, develop partnerships, and foster collective learning and action.

I. Create Space and Listen to Voices
While most educators try to create these environments for their students, there are often constraints that are not considered. When working with marginalized or oppressed students the task may become even more difficult. Solutions to this may be as simple as forming specific groups of people. This idea of creating space and listening is thought to be beneficial for improving practice.

II. Adopt a Critical Stance
Adult learners have a responsibility to come together and increase the awareness of inequalities, oppression, and marginalization of certain groups. Merriam suggests that change will not happen until the regular routine or status quo is challenged and dissected. To develop a critical stance, one must view social issues and problems as being multilayered and multidimensional.

III. Attend to Policy
Policies have an enormous impact on educational practices. While it is unrealistic to ask adult learners and educators to be dedicated lobbyists or attend public forms on a daily basis, it is still possible to be a part of change. Public policy includes social policy which should aim to improve some sort of societal conditions. Being aware and socially educated on a variety of perspectives will ensure that these changes made are effective and for the betterment of all people, not just specific cultures or societies.

IV. Develop Partnerships
Educational advocates and adult learners are most effective when there are collaborations or strong partnerships formed. These alliances may be with other people, agencies or institutions. Partnerships often have many benefits and few drawbacks. It strength in numbers, when people are collectively working towards a common goal for the betterment of society there is likely to be high success.

V. Foster Collective Learning and Action
The challenges that face adult learners and educators cannot be tackled by single individuals; it is the work of the collective that is the most effective. Discussions and knowledge exchange uncover new information and lead to understanding. With a strong background in the social issues affecting our populations, educators and advocates can take action towards a change.