Abstract
The intentions to learn and to teach might not be a unifying purpose but these intentions can bring about a unifying outcome. Common ground is found by embracing the diversity of student backgrounds and purposes, not by overwriting them. Diversity of purposes is a model for adult, community, and professional learning that aligns the facilitator with students. Alignment recognizes that students approach the learning environment with diverse backgrounds, languages, histories, and cultures. Adult learners are also in the learning environment for purposes that are unique to them and might not be known by the facilitator. Ethics is essential in promoting a collaborative environment in which learning emerges as a shared outcome. Facilitators who maintain an ethical mindset to respect three vital intentions to prevent harm, do no harm, and avoid harm to their students will be mindful of their purpose as educators and of the need to respect their students as potential learners, and to hold a willingness to invite students to the learning process as collaborators with diverse purposes. This paper features a multi-leveled ethical assessment model that extends from the three vital intentions and demonstrates its applications in adult, community, and professional learning.
Presenters
Donald HoepferAssociate Professor, Arts and Humanities, Carroll Community College, Maryland, United States Geraldine Hider
Adjunct Professor, Humanities, Arts and Humanities, Carroll Community College, Minnesota, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Learner Diversity and Identities
KEYWORDS
Ethics, Collaboration, Purpose, Adult Education, Diversity
