Let’s Take Some ‘Educational’ Responsibility

Malcolm Knowles was a 20th-century American educator well known for using the term andragogy to describe the art and science of adult learning based on self-directed, independent learning methods. This theory asserts that learning programs must support the notion that adults are self-driven and take responsibility for their decisions. I largely support and agree with the adult learning concepts Knowles taught, including the key point that adults are motivated to learn based on the need for immediate value. For most of us, immediate value is usually driven by financial reward and/or promotion, and our focus on improving is based upon the need and desire for that.

Despite the recognition of self-motivation for personal improvement, I fully support the concept of sharing education, which I believe has greatly improved over the years in our field. Many of us remember a time when we would walk by the desk of a "lead technician" who would quickly turn away to prevent observation of his or her work. For the most part, I believe and hope that this attitude has changed, and that more people are now willing to share their knowledge for the betterment of our profession. With this willingness, however, comes a responsibility. It is vital that we become fully prepared as educators so that we may properly share our knowledge for our profession's further improvement. Several factors should be considered. Who are the educators? Are these educators competent in their skills of learning and teaching? Whom are we teaching in today's environment?